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Paternity Testing
DNA Typing
Human Disease Diagnostics
Animal Disease Diagnostics
Genetech pioneered the use of molecular diagnostics in Sri Lanka. This field, which was almost unknown to the medical fraternity in Sri Lanka is now widely used in delivering high quality patient management. Molecular diagnostics is now an accepted and even essential part of the health care system since it was first introduced to Sri Lanka by Genetech in 2002. As a mark of standardizing our tests and strengthening customers trust Genetech has applied for ISO accreditation and is now in the final stages of obtaining ISO 15189 accreditation and we expect ISO 15189 accreditation by mid 2010.
What is molecular diagnosis?
Infectious diseases are caused by a wide variety of organisms, ranging from multi-cellular parasites and fungi to uni-cellular bacteria to non-cellular viruses. They cover a wide range of phyla, and have extremely diverse ways of infection and affecting human beings. But what they all have is the possession of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA molecules), their hereditary material. This DNA or RNA forms the basis of their individuality, and because it is the basis of diversity, it is possible to identify these organisms from their DNA or RNA. Unlike other diagnostic methods, which rely on microscopy, culture, biochemical characteristics and indirect antibody detection, molecular diagnostics seeks evidence of a disease at the very basic causative level by detecting the nucleic acids based on PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technology.
This technology is also used to detect changes or mutations in our DNA, which can cause disease conditions known as genetic disorders. While some of these genetic disorders are passed from generation to generation, some happen spontaneously. Genetech offers DNA-based testing services for a wide variety of such genetic disorders and cancer markers.
For more information about the individual tests please contact us.
Viral Diseases
Bacterial and other Infectious Diseases
Genetic Disorders
Cancer Markers
Histocompatibility Testing
Click to download complete list of available tests at Genetech
Genetech DNA typing services
Child custody and maintenance- in cases where one parent is claiming the custody and maintenance of a child and the other parent is refusing to accept parentage.
Quality Control
DNA typing is highly specialized procedure with requires knowledge and skill. But for DNA typing evidence to be acceptable in a Court of Law, it has to meet certain quality standards, which have been well documented and followed by forensic DNA laboratories worldwide. The most accepted of these standards are those set by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), USA, the International Society of Forensic Haemogenetisits (IFSH) and Technical Working Group on DNA Analysis Method (TWGDAM). The American Association of Blood Banks is also an important provider of standards for paternity testing casework.. We at Genetech are proud to announce that every step of our DNA typing process meets with these international standards.
At Genetech our quality standards cover all aspects of DNA typing, beginning with qualified, experienced personnel, the latest equipment, and the best of chemicals and reagents. The entire process is performed to generate error-free results which can be verified by any laboratory anywhere in the world.
· Personnel Genetech has the most experienced and qualified personnel in the field of DNA typing in Sri Lanka. They have pioneered DNA typing in this country, and have laid the groundwork for the application of this technology in Sri Lanka.
· Equipment- Genetech is a fully equipped facility, which has the capability to perform procedures in molecular haemogenetics, in exactly the same way that the standards require. The equipment at Genetech is regularly calibrated to ensure error-free functioning
· Laboratory Management- All aspects of laboratory management and documentation are performed to meet with the standards. Aspects of confidentiality, security and independence have been diligently maintained.
· Technical quality-The type of DNA testing done by Genetech is the latest, most accepted method known as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based- analysis of Short Tandem Repeats (STRs). This method is presently accepted by the forensic community as the method of choice because of its sensitivity, accuracy, rapidity and cost effectiveness.
· The type of genetic test- STR loci (genetic locations) which are tested by Genetech, are those that are well studied and regularly used by the forensic community. The STR loci tested by Genetech are among the most accepted, internationally. These STR loci have also been tested for their suitability to be used for the Sri Lankan population, and have been proven to be statistically suitable. There is also an established Sri Lankan population database for these loci, which enables such DNA evidence to be presented to a Court of Law.
· Error minimization- In order to minimize the possibility of error, Genetech will maintain standards of validation and verification. The analysis of casework samples will be done alongside internationally used standard human DNA, and the results of the casework analysis will be subject to comparison with these DNA standards. Negative controls will be run at every step of the analysis procedure, in order to ensure that no cross-contamination of DNA has occurred.
· Reporting- Once DNA typing results are generated, they are stored both in a graphic format as well as in a numerical format. An individuals DNA profile can be submitted to a Court of Law in both formats. Scientists at Genetech can provide statistical interpretation of the results, and express the accuracy of the test by statistical means, using data generated from the Sri Lankan human population databases. In order to be valid in a Court of Law, DNA evidence must be supported by statistical data. This data is obtained only by establishing a population database for the population group that is being tested. Therefore, only Sri Lankan population data can be used for such analysis.
Accuracy of evidence generated by Genetech
DNA testing is the most accurate and reliable means of identity verification and parentage testing. The degree of accuracy of the test will depend on the genetic diversity of the Sri Lankan population, as well as the number of genetic locations (STR loci), which are tested. There is no mandatory number of STR loci required for a test, but generally testing of nine STR loci or more is considered sufficiently accurate. Genetech tests up to 15 STR loci.
Accuracy in a test of family relationships- A paternity or maternity test can prove with 100% certainty that an individual IS NOT the biological parent of a child.
No DNA test available can prove with 100% certainty that a man or woman IS the biological parent of a child. Generally a degree of certainty of over 99% is required to accept the paternity or maternity of an individual. DNA testing by Genetech typically proves paternity with at least 99.9% certainty. This is well in excess of the required accuracy.
Accuracy in criminal casework- In criminal casework, the demand for accuracy is greater, and the forensic scientist has to prove beyond a doubt, that a suspects DNA profile matches with that of the criminal. This involves expressing the chance or probability of finding some random person in the population who might have this same profile. This probability or chance is known as the Match Probability. This probability must be very low. The lower the Match probability, the greater the accuracy of the conclusions of the DNA test. There is no internationally agreed lower limit for this probability, but it is generally accepted if it is lower than 1 in 1 billion. At Genetech a sufficient number of loci can be tested to ensure that the Match Probability is lower than 1 in 10 billion.
Ethical Issues
DNA typing is performed ethically only with the informed consent of the individual whose DNA is being typed. The persons concerned will be informed about the consequences of the test. Where such consent cannot be given such as in the case of minors, the consent of the guardian has to be obtained. Genetech will not undertake samples for parentage testing without written consent from all living parties who will be tested.
In the instance of criminal casework, Genetech will adhere to provisions in the Law, with respect to taking samples from suspects, victims and other living individuals involved in the case.
Strict confidentiality will be maintained at all times with respect to individuals being tested. The results of DNA typing tests and the conclusions drawn from them will be divulged only to persons being tested, and Courts of Law which order such tests.
The test result will be given in a numerical format, and a Scientist from Genetech will interpret the results, and draw a clear, unambiguous conclusion, and express it in simple terms.
DNA typing is performed by analyzing non-coding regions of an individuals DNA. It does not give the analyst any information about the ethnicity, race, social background, physical or mental make up of that person. Therefore no other genetic information will be retrieved from an individuals DNA.
Cost
We are happy to announce that after much research and optimisation, we have streamlined our DNA typing methods, and we are therefore able to provide DNA typing services at perhaps the lowest cost anywhere in the world. Genetech performs the same DNA typing tests which are used by internationally recognised laboratories, and will maintain the same standards of quality, so that the conclusions made by Genetech can be verified by any accredited forensic DNA typing laboratory, anywhere in the world. Please contact us for pricing.
What is DNA Typing?
DNA typing is a method of identifying individuals from the differences they have in their DNA. It is also used to determine family relationships between individuals.
Advantages of DNA Typing
The science of DNA typing relies on technology that allows an individual's DNA to be examined and analyzed. A persons DNA is unique, no two individuals (except identical twins) have the same DNA. Every cell in a persons body has the same DNA. So, no matter what part of the body you take DNA from, it will always be the same. DNA typing can be performed from many types of biological specimens including blood, saliva, sperm cells, muscle, teeth and bones. So a persons DNA can be typed from very little tissue or body fluid. DNA typing is used for two major purposes. First, it is used to identify individuals from biological samples. This is mainly done in forensic casework, where it is possible to determine the identity of a criminal by typing the DNA left behind at the scene of the crime. The second important use of DNA typing is to determine family relationships. There are many situations when this kind of typing is needed, such as paternity testing, maternity testing, grand-parent testing, and even the identification of mutilated bodies is also done by determining family relationships. DNA typing is the best method of identifying individuals and determining family relationships because it is extremely sensitive- that is, with even a very small amount of tissue, the test can be done. It is also very accurate- it can give a test result with a very high degree of certainty. It is also very reliable- the chance of obtaining a false result can be minimized, and the chance of making an error in the conclusion can be calculated.
How does DNA Typing work?
In the DNA typing process, a DNA banding pattern or profile of an individual is first obtained from a tissue sample. The DNA profile is observed in the form of a set of DNA bands known as alleles. Each person has a maximum of two specific alleles for a given genetic location. This DNA profile is compared with the profile obtained from a sample taken from the scene of a crime. If the alleles in the two profiles match, then, it can be said that the sample taken from the scene of the crime came from the individual that was tested.
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