DNA-PROKIDS program to help eliminate international human trafficking

New estimates indicate that human trafficking will be the number one crime in the world by 2010. Currently, approximately 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders, about 50 percent of which are under the age of 17.

Scientists at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) have recently received a $500,000 grant from The Life Technologies Foundation for use in development of the DNA-PROKIDS Project (Program for Kids Identification with DNA Systems). This program will be designed to deter international human trafficking through the use of DNA testing, which will help to reunite abducted and homeless children with their biological parents/families.

Through PROKIDS, children who are located and found to be associated with any human trafficking activity, i.e. illegal adoptions, living on the street, prostitution, will be DNA sampled. These childrens' DNA profiles will be entered into an international, searchable DNA database, where they can potentially be matched to parents/family members of missing children who have previously submitted their DNA to the program.

UNTHSC is working in collaboration with the University of Granada-Spain to build the needed international DNA database.

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The DNA Identity Testing Center of Bio-Synthesis Inc., headquartered in Lewisville, Texas, is the global leader in DNA testing including, Paternity, Maternity, Siblingship, Avuncularity, Grandparentage, and Forensic Samples, in both Private and Legal Cases since 1995. Our staff of highly experienced and qualified DNA experts and Paternity Consultants has reliably and consistently provided products and services to customers across the country and the world that meet the most demanding requirements for quality, turnaround, and expert technical support.

For more information, please visit 800dnaexam.com or call 1-800-227-0627

New DNA testing program to aid in elimination of human trafficking

As human trafficking is becoming an increasingly more serious issue worldwide, scientists are now developing a program specifically aimed at eliminating this illegal activity and reuniting abducted and lost children with their families. Scientists at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, in conjuction with the University of Granada-Spain, are developing a program called DNA-PROKIDS, which will incorporate an international DNA database of DNA profiles of children who are found to be involved in human trafficking activities. The database will also include DNA profiles of parents and family members of abducted or lost children and will be searchable to match missing children to their families. Recently, a $500,000 grant by The Life Technologies Foundation was awarded to UNTHSC to fund and develop the DNA-PROKIDS Project.

DNA testing may help identify WWI soldiers

After nearly a century, families of WWI veterans slain in northern France may have new hope for identifying their loved ones' remains. The British Ministry of Defense has authorized excavation of burial pits in Fromelles, conducted by the Oxford Archaeology team, which is expected to unveil remains from thousands of British and Australian soldiers, dating back to 1916.

An initial cross-section of remains were submitted for DNA testing to determine the quality and quantity of DNA that may be able to be obtained. Results, so far, have been very promising. Mostly tooth and bone samples have been found and used for extracting DNA. Although most remains are in very delicate condition, viable DNA has been obtained and is hoped to lead to positive identification of the slain soldiers. Now, following this successful first run, the Ministry of Defense is planning a full excavation of Fromelles, with the goal of identifying nearly all remains through DNA testing, and providing the soldiers proper and honorable burials.

About DNAExam
The DNA Identity Testing Center of Bio-Synthesis Inc., headquartered in Lewisville, Texas, is the global leader in DNA testing including, Paternity, Maternity, Siblingship, Avuncularity, Grandparentage, and Forensic Samples, in both Private and Legal Cases since 1995. Our staff of highly experienced and qualified DNA experts and Paternity Consultants has reliably and consistently provided products and services to customers across the country and the world that meet the most demanding requirements for quality, turnaround, and expert technical support.

For more information, please visit 800dnaexam.com or call 1-800-227-0627

DNA testing may help identify WWI soldiers

After nearly a century, families of WWI veterans slain in northern France may have new hope for identifying their loved ones' remains. The British Ministry of Defense has authorized excavation of burial pits in Fromelles, conducted by the Oxford Archaeology team, which is expected to unveil remains from thousands of British and Australian soldiers, dating back to 1916.

An initial cross-section of remains were submitted for DNA testing to determine the quality and quantity of DNA that may be able to be obtained. Results, so far, have been very promising. Mostly tooth and bone samples have been found and used for extracting DNA. Although most remains are in very delicate condition, viable DNA has been obtained and is hoped to lead to positive identification of the slain soldiers. Now, following this successful first run, the Ministry of Defense is planning a full excavation of Fromelles, with the goal of identifying nearly all remains through DNA testing, and providing the soldiers proper and honorable burials.

About DNAExam
The DNA Identity Testing Center of Bio-Synthesis Inc., headquartered in Lewisville, Texas, is the global leader in DNA testing including, Paternity, Maternity, Siblingship, Avuncularity, Grandparentage, and Forensic Samples, in both Private and Legal Cases since 1995. Our staff of highly experienced and qualified DNA experts and Paternity Consultants has reliably and consistently provided products and services to customers across the country and the world that meet the most demanding requirements for quality, turnaround, and expert technical support.

For more information, please visit 800dnaexam.com or call 1-800-227-0627

DNA variants may interfere with disease diagnoses

Contrary to the belief that DNA is the same in every tissue of an individual's body, researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine have recently discovered that it may, in fact, have variations. Last month, in The Scientist, findings of this study were reported. The research team at McGill was searching for genes believed to cause a fatal condition called abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). They found that DNA extracted from diseased abdominal aortic tissue did not exactly match genomic DNA taken from blood leukocytes of the same individual. Endocrinologist, Morris Schweitzer, who led the study, said "We did not expect to find a difference in the tissue [genes] compared to the leukocyte [genes]."

This study's findings are raising questions as to the reliability of many current studies on systemic diseases. For instance, tests for diabetes and atherosclerosis are typically based only on DNA extracted from blood samples. This new study suggests that relying solely on DNA from blood may not reveal serious, potentially fatal medical conditions.

About DNAExam
The DNA Identity Testing Center of Bio-Synthesis Inc., headquartered in Lewisville, Texas, is the global leader in DNA testing including, Paternity, Maternity, Siblingship, Avuncularity, Grandparentage, and Forensic Samples, in both Private and Legal Cases since 1995. Our staff of highly experienced and qualified DNA experts and Paternity Consultants has reliably and consistently provided products and services to customers across the country and the world that meet the most demanding requirements for quality, turnaround, and expert technical support.

For more information, please visit 800dnaexam.com or call 1-800-227-0627

New study suggests DNA may differ between tissues

In a recent article published in The Scientist, a study by researchers at McGill University in Montreal indicates that DNA may differ from that in blood samples as compared to other tissues. Many studies on systemic diseases, like diabetes and atherosclerosis, are based on DNA extracted from blood samples. However, this study suggests that by limiting screenings to blood samples only, some gene variants associated with medical conditions may go unnoticed. In single individuals, these researchers identified DNA with different gene variants in blood as compared to other tissues, namely abdominal aortic tissue, as the study pertained specifically to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

MtDNA may be key to solving Amelia Earhart mystery

Within the next year, researchers are anticipating the discovery of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which they believe could help identify the 72-year-old remains of famed aviator Amelia Earhart.

The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) has been performing archaeological work on Nikumaroro Island (formerly Gardner Island) since 2001 and plans to launch a new, $500,000 expedition in early summer of 2010. The TIGHAR researchers believe that they are on the verge of unveiling DNA evidence on the island which may prove that Earhart was actually stranded for a short time before perishing. TIGHAR's Executive Director, Ric Gillespie, says that they have found "what's best described as personal effects of the castaway that died there," but nothing which appears to be actual human remains thus far. In 2007, some pieces of evidence retrieved were contaminated, so during this next trip, the team will be armed with a new collection protocol and is optimistic that they will return with DNA evidence.

TIGHAR was lucky to find a woman earlier this year, who is directly related to Earhart, who agreed to provide her mtDNA for use as a reference in future testing with Earhart's. MtDNA is different from conventional nuclear DNA in that it is only passed through maternal lineage. Also, since it is found in the sturdy mitochondria of cells, outside of the fragile nucleus, it tends to withstand time and very harsh conditions, and is often employed in forensics research.

About DNAExam

The DNA Identity Testing Center of Bio-Synthesis Inc., headquartered in Lewisville, Texas, is the global leader in DNA testing including, Paternity, Maternity, Siblingship, Avuncularity, Grandparentage, and Forensic Samples, in both Private and Legal Cases since 1995. Our staff of highly experienced and qualified DNA experts and Paternity Consultants has reliably and consistently provided products and services to customers across the country and the world that meet the most demanding requirements for quality, turnaround, and expert technical support.

For more information, please visit 800dnaexam.com or call 1-800-227-0627