DNA Testing - An Overview Of This Revolutionary Scientific B
Deoxyribonucleic acid is the scientific terminology for DNA. DNA determines the cells behavior, function, and structure. What is great about DNA is that not only can it tell the identity of a person, but it can also give information about four thousand genetic conditions and diseases.
There are a variety of samples that DNA testing can be conducted on. For example, semen, tissue, cheek cells, and blood cells all contain DNA. Every person has DNA that is both distinct and unique to only him or her. There is one exception however, and that is with identical twins. DNA can be compared to our individual fingerprints, thanks to the specific nature of DNA testing, paternity can be established. The courts use this method because the results of the tests are generally ten to one hundred times the accuracy required by the courts.
There are advantages and disadvantages to undergoing DNA testing. For example, DNA testing is typically not covered by insurance. Even though we have laws in place that are designed to protect us from health insurance discrimination, many people believe that the results of genetic testing may affect their chances of obtaining insurance coverage.
Family dynamics is an area of major concern for many people. For most families, the genes within the family are considered to be an heirloom. Therefore, this revolutionary testing might have some negative impact on the family. Furthermore, the testing might reveal relationships that were previously unknown, perhaps paternity, or maybe even reveal family secrets.
This testing can have different types of effects on people both before and after the tests have been conducted. Therefore, it is wise to obtain professional help to deal with these issues and feelings.
The government and courts rely on DNA testing in solving crimes and finding leads. The method of DNA collection have proven guilt in crimes, as well as proven innocence in some wrongly accused of serious crimes or felonies.
You might likely see some advertisements for home DNA testing kits. It is important to remember that they often make promises that they cannot keep. The internet plays host to some of these sales and you could look at paying between $100 and $1,000 to purchase the kits. The General Accountability Office (GAO) states that these tests essentially create predictions that have been unproven medically and fail to provide meaningful information.
The United States FBI is wanting to keep a database nationally of DNA. There is a large amount of controversy surrounding this; many feel that obtaining DNA from any person without first gaining permission is going too far. It is far too easy for them to obtain DNA from a coffee cup or toothbrush.
Summary:
There are advantages and disadvantages to undergoing DNA testing. The government and courts rely on DNA testing in solving crimes and finding leads. The method of DNA collection have proven
guilt in crimes, as well as proven innocence in some wrongly accused of serious crimes or felonies.
Snakes are probably the most misunderstood, and most illogically feared creatures on the planet. Of the 2,200-plus species of snakes in the world, fewer than 20 percent are venomous. People have an instinctual fear of snakes that stems back for thousands of years. It probably started out as a survival instinct, when there was no literature or way of telling which snakes were harmful or not. On the other hand, biblical literature has encouraged us to fear snakes for an entirely different reason. Other people simply misunderstand snakes, thinking that they are slimy, nasty creatures.
The first thing to know about snakes is that any non-venomous snake will only bite you for 3 reasons. First, if you smell like food. If you have recently handled a warm-blooded animal, such as mice, guinea pigs, even cats, the snake may smell that on you and mistake you for something edible. Second, if the snake feels you are a predator that is trying to harm it. Especially when reaching down towards a snake, the snake can misinterpret you for something trying to eat it. Thirdly, and the most likely reason non-venomous snakes bite, is simply because they are afraid. When given the choice between biting at you (the 5-6 foot tall giant that just stepped into it?s territory) or running away as fast as it can possibly slither?it will choose running away every time. If the snake however, feels cornered, or for whatever reason unable to hide, it will strike out at you, more as a warning to leave it alone than to actually do any damage.
Non-venomous snakes are usually very safe to handle, especially pet snakes or snakes that are used to being handled. Even most species of wild snakes that are non-venomous are perfectly able to be handled without fear of bites (the exception being water snakes and other naturally aggressive species). If you do try to handle a snake, be sure to move slowly, and edge your hand under the belly of the snake near the tail area. If you move suddenly, or from the top, it may mistake you for a predator. Once you have actually lifted the snake and are holding it, do not hold it by the tail, rather support it?s body loosely with your hands (keep a loose but firm grip, if you squeeze too hard it will likely injure the snake), and let the snake explore it?s way around your hands and arms. If the snake seems agitated, or goes into a strike position, it is best to slowly, but gently put the snake back.
You will find that snakes are not slimy, nor nasty in any way. However if they get frightened, they may defecate on you as a way of showing fear. If this happens, be sure to wash the area thoroughly with soap and hot water, as snakes do carry salmonella bacteria in their feces. You must also remember that snakes, while being beautiful and interesting to watch, simply aren?t the brightest creatures in the world, and have about the same thinking power as your average goldfish. Remember when you are holding a snake that it likely sees you as a very odd tree, and does not recognize you as a human being. Snakes react by instinct rather than thought, and as long as you keep this in mind, being around snakes is very easy to do as well as being interesting.
So how do you tell venomous and non-venomous snakes apart? There are several ways to tell, although some species of non-venomous snakes have adapted to be able to look like venomous snakes when they are afraid. If you are ever even slightly in doubt, leave the snake alone! As a general rule, venomous snakes have diamond or triangle shaped heads, instead of rounded heads that most non-venomous snakes have. Also, their eyes are elliptical like a cat?s eye instead of being round as well. Pit vipers have a telltale pit between the eye and the mouth. The pit, a heat-sensing organ, makes it possible for the snake to accurately strike a warm-blooded victim, even if the snake cannot see the victim. Of course rattlesnakes usually rattle, but this is not always the case. Some species of rattlesnakes have evolved without a rattle!
So now that you know more about snake behaviors and facts, I hope you will give snakes a chance. Not only are they fascinating to watch, but they serve a vital function in our ecosystem.
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