Dog DNA Tests, Testing to Learn the Breed of Your Canine

Posts Tagged ‘animal breeds’

Regarding dog dna testing, I never cease to ponder in fascination the scientific advances of the late 20th Century.

Do you ever stop to compare the way life was twenty years ago and what it’s like now? Watch Seinfeld, for example: no cell phones!
Right now, my mind is on DNA testing. A (very) distant cousin decided he is too old (50s) to start a family the normal way and chose to prey on a young, desperate and vulnerable – and by default dishonest and driven by ulterior motives – woman from the old country in Eastern Europe.

He told her from the get-go he wants a child. She appeared to have gotten pregnant the minute she stepped off the boat, pardon, plane, and the baby was born quite prematurely, if you get my meaning. You see, my unfortunate (very distant!) relative had overindulged in imbibing during his younger years, and although he changed his habits as he grew older, his masculine might (based on past girlfriends’ testimony – gosh, we’re awful! (lashes aflutter)) was affected irreparably. Ok, I hear whistles, catcalls, and urges to get back to DNA testing.

I promise, I am not indulging in idle gossiping, there is a point to all this. Long story short, even in his blissfully narcissistic state, the man’s gotta wonder! He was afraid to offend her, so he did not inform his wife that he requested DNA testing. Luckily, she spoke no English, ’so there you go!’[1]

Again, there is a flipside here: the little boy turned out to be his! Way to go, cuz! It appears, having this knowledge awakened his heretofore unexplored capacity for love and responsibility (to a degree, let’s not get carried away now). This whole affair upsets me on many levels, and I don’t envy the poor kid born under these circumstances. But for better or for worse, he will never have to doubt who is responsible for not giving him enough, thanks to DNA testing.

We tend to take DNA testing for granted by now, but can you imagine (or recall) what life was like before it became available? As recently as the 80s, women and children had no access to such iron-clad proof for doubtful and/or delinquent fathers. On the flipside, DNA testing protects men from being victimized by women trying to take advantage of their trust.

First of, exactly what is DNA and what does testing it entail? Most of us have a vague idea, but few have time to find out more. Well, I have done the work for all of us. Imagine my joy when I found "DNA Testing: An Introduction for Non-Scientists. An Illustrated Explanation by Donald E. Riley, Ph.D. from the University of Washington". [2]

The good doctor worries: "The explanation of DNA testing that follows is intended as an introduction to the subject for those who may have limited backgrounds in biological science. While basically accurate, this explanation involves liberal use of illustration and, in some cases, oversimplification. Although intended to be informative, this is brief and incomplete explanation of a complex subject. The author suggests consulting the scientific literature for more rigorous details and alternative views." I am letting you know this because you may want to seek further in-depth, more scientifically-based information. In that case, you are on your own. I do suggest that you read more of Dr. Riley’s publication because there is a lot of very detailed information explaining the types and processes of DNA testing.

As for me, the first several passages were, in fact, very informative and sort of cleared the fog in my head where my understanding of DNA was located. However, as soon as his work went deeper into the science of various types of tests… well, the doctor lost me. I think, he failed to reach and draw in even a curious non-scientist. Here’s what I think most of us need to know:
"DNA explained in easy terms

DNA is material that governs inheritance of eye color, hair color, stature, bone density and many other human and animal traits. DNA is a long, but narrow string-like object. A one foot long string or strand of DNA is normally packed into a space roughly equal to a cube 1/millionth of an inch on a side. This is possible only because DNA is a very thin string.

Our body’s cells each contain a complete sample of our DNA. One cell is roughly equal in size to the cube described in the previous paragraph. There are muscle cells, brain cells, liver cells, blood cells, sperm cells and others. Basically, every part of the body is made up of these tiny cells and each contains a sample or complement of DNA identical to that of every other cell within a given person. There are a few exceptions. For example, our red blood cells lack DNA. Blood itself can be typed because of the DNA contained in our white blood cells."

This really answers some questions, don’t you think? One thing’s for sure: if you are ever in a position of uncertainty, do everyone involved a favor, especially your child, set aside any guilt and prejudices, and take advantage of the miracle of modern technology: a DNA test.

About the Author: Helena Lofgren is a Web content specialist for Innuity, Inc. in Seattle, Washington. If you are looking for more practical sources to assist you with DNA testing, such as AABB DNA paternity, siblingship, and y-chromosome testing services for legal and personal purposes, visit GeneTree.

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