Name: Eunice Chin Hui Qian

Faculty: FMHS-CD
ID: 1300710
Assignment 1

What is DNA fingerprinting?
DNA finger printing is also known as genetic printing and DNA profiling. It is
a technique which is used widely to identify an individual from a sample DNA,
determining the likelihood that genetic material came from a particular individual or
group. It is an essential tool in crime fighting, parenting, immigration, conservation
and many other aspects and fields.
The DNA sample extracted is first added with restriction enzymes to cut the
DNA into smaller segments that are different between individuals. The DNA
segments are then sorted by agarose gel electrophoresis and visualized by staining
with ethidium bromide. A Southern blot is performed o transfer the DNA onto a
membrane. A radioactive probe is applied to the membrane and the pattern of DNA
is detected by exposing the membrane to x-ray film. The result will be a pattern of
bands.
Is DNA finger print sequencing related to human thumb finger print
patterns in the same individual? If so, how?

An actual human fingerprint is a series of ridge on the tip of each finger.
The pattern of these ridges varies from person to person and is so distinctive that
each person can be identified by their fingerprint. On the other hand, DNA
fingerprinting uses repetitive sequences that are highly variable called variable
number tandem repeats (VNTRs), in particularly short tandem repeats (STRs). VNTR
loci are very similar between closely related humans, but so polymorphic (variable)
that unrelated individuals are extremely unlikely to have the same VNTRs.
Technically, the DNA finger print sequencing is not related to the human
thumb finger print as DNA fingerprinting is a molecular representation and
fingertip impressions are physical representations. However, both function as
biometric identifications (method to distinguish between individuals), utilizing
physical attributes that is unique to every human. Biometric identifications include
iris recognition, the use of dental records in forensic dentistry, the tongue and DNA
profiling (DNA fingerprinting).

How is this applicable to human resource development?

The most prominent use of the DNA fingerprinting is personal identification.
DNA fingerprinting comprehensively and accurately recognizes the DNA of a person
than any other technique available. With DNA profiling applied in human resource
development with high confidentiality, cheats employees made on punctuality can
be avoided. Because DNA sequence of each individual is so distinctive that every
employee has to sign in to work with their own identification. Such technology has
yet to be applied but the most common personal identification used nowadays is
thumbprint recognition.
Certain departments in a company can only be accessed or entered by
authorized employees, such as the IT department. By applying the DNA profiling,
only the appointed authorities are allowed to enter with their own identification so
other unauthorized people will not be able to access the particular department,
protecting the data of the company.
With the application of DNA profiling, enhancement of HRD can be made to
improve respective companies and to bring the company to a higher level.

REFERENCES

DNA Fingerprinting http://highered.mcgraw-
hill.com/sites/dl/free/0072835125/126997/animation40.html

Encyclopaedia Britannica
http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/167155/DNA-fingerprinting