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akarunway

Give up your DNA?

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I find this horrifyinig. I build software systems for a living. Mistakes always happen when people are involved in any sort of interface. Unfortunately, when a mistake is made in the "DNA database", it's going to be too f-ing late for the mistaken person. They're not even going to _REALIZE_ it, until it's too late.
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There was an interesting article in Discover magazine recently.

The subject was DNA testing and the imperfections of it. The was a vignette about a woman who had different DNA in different parts of her body. The DNA from a cheek swab didn't match up with DNA from her reproductive system. Her kids weren't hers, according to initial DNA tests. Further review was required to establish maternity. This type of mixed DNA is apparently more common than one would think. The source may be "included twin" tissue, IE, a fraternal sibling that ends up incorporated into the fetus. Weird stuff.
A friends mother had an included twin as an ovary that turned cancerous. The biopsy of the tumor found bone, tooth tissue, and hair. Quite icky...

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The DNA from a cheek swab didn't match up with DNA from her reproductive system. Her kids weren't hers, according to initial DNA tests. Further review was required to establish maternity.



Must have been downright traumatizing for the woman. Just wait until places like Louisiana come across these instances. Can you imagine being in front of a Louisiana State Trooper and trying to explain to him there can be exceptions to DNA results? BTW, I've heard Louisiana takes DNA even if you're pulled over for a traffic violation.
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