A Complete Summary of the DNA Testing History

DNA testing techniques used to determine biological relationships was invented in 1984 by British Scientist Sir Alec Jeffreys. Prior to DNA testing, other techniques were used but the accuracy of the results were questionable. DNA testing was the only process that could yield an almost 100% accurate conclusion. Provided below is a complete summary of the DNA testing history.

The human blood types, -A, AB, B and O were identified by scientists in the early 1900’s. The blood typing system provided doctors with a crucial way to identify information about their patients. This information was much need in procedures such as blood transfusion wherein the blood types of both patients and donors needed to match.

Scientists discovered that blood types were genetically inherited in 1920. They realized that it was possible to predict the blood type of a child based on the blood types of their parents. Blood typing was then used to show the relationship between children and their parents. It was later ascertained that the information provided by blood typing was limited and it was impossible to definitively identify biological relationships. The blood typing technique was then dismissed as a useful means to determine paternity.

In 1930, scientists attempted to use the Serological testing technique to determine paternity. Scientists discovered the presence of other proteins in the blood that could also identify humans. Specific antigens in the blood were also genetically inherited and there was a possibility that these could be used to determine biological relationships. However, much like the blood typing systems, the results of the Serological technique were inconclusive.

In the mid 1970’s, scientists discovered a new way to determine paternity relationships. Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) testing proved to provide better results and when combined with the blood typing and serological techniques, it became a powerful tool to determine biological relations. Although the results were about 90% reliable, there was still a big margin for inconsistency.

1984 was an exciting year in DNA testing history. This was the year when the breakthrough was made in DNA testing. The Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) technique was developed. This was the first technique that used DNA. Unique sections of the DNA were extracted from blood samples of parents and child and were compared. The results were amazingly 99.9% conclusive. The only downside to this technique was that it required large amounts of blood for it to be effective.

The 1980’s was really a significant year in DNA testing history because another technique was developed that would later on become a standard in DNA testing. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a technique that required only minute samples of blood or other cells. The samples were replicated millions of times and the process was quicker than the RFLP technique. The paternity relationship testing results were even often higher than 99.9%.

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