Abstract
The paper discusses how DNA testing was developed first as part of research into genetics and the nature of genetic inheritance, and it was later noted that DNA would also be a good way of identifying people for purposes of paternity and for other purposes. The paper explains that DNA testing was also developed as a way of testing suspects in those criminal cases in which some genetic material might have been collected. The paper relates that the use of DNA has been presented as having a high degree of certainty about identification, and this has been accepted by juries so that DNA evidence is often definitive. The paper describes how more recently, DNA has been used to test genetic material from older cases in order to demonstrate innocence rather than guilt.

From the Paper
"DNA testing was developed first as part of research into genetics and the nature of genetic inheritance, and it was later noted that DNA would also be a good way of identifying people for purposes of paternity and for other purposes. DNA testing was also developed as a way of testing suspects in those criminal cases in which some genetic material might have been collected. The use of DNA has been presented as having a high degree of certainty about identification, and this has been accepted by juries so that DNA evidence is often definitive. More recently, DNA has been used to test genetic material from older cases in order to demonstrate innocence rather than guilt. One such case is reported by Gutowski (2007), a case..."

Tags:dna, testing, exoneration

Abstract
The paper answers a few basic questions: What is DNA? What is the source of DNA? How was DNA discovered? What is the precise structure of DNA and how does it work? The paper also reveals a bit of the relational intrigue, serendipity, and other non-scientific factors that led to the discovery of the structure of this molecule. A brief conclusions section is also presented.

Tags:DNA

Abstract
This paper examines the similarities and differences of chimpanzee and human DNA, using an exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History as a springboard for the discussion. Chimpanzees and bonobos, another form of ape, are described as humans' closest living relatives, and thus their DNA is very similar. Despite this, the paper states that some of the genes between the species although the same, are used differently in the chimp as they are in humans, and so, they create more differences between us. Research is cited which contends that humans and chimpanzees evolved from a common ancestor, and that shows in our DNA.

From the Paper
"The exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History talks about the similarities between humans and chimps, and helps explain why we are so similar. The website notes, "Human and chimp DNA is so similar because the two species are so closely related. Humans, chimps and bonobos descended from a single ancestor species that lived six or seven million years ago" (Editors). In fact, it is the slow evolution of change between human DNA and chimp DNA that accounts for the differences between the two species today. When you look at the chromosomes of each species side by side, they look remarkably alike, and that shows how close they really are."

Tags:genes, DNA, chimpanzees, humans, evolution

Abstract
This paper discusses DNA testing, including varies types of tests such as mitochondrial and Y chromosome testing in the context of crime solving. DNA testing has become vital due to the fact that many crimes, especially violent crimes, leave behind hair, fibers and fluids which can be traced back to the offender. The paper relates that most states have DNA databases which keep profiles on past offenders on hand, however, relatively few states require that crime scene evidence be kept on hand which can be a hurdle in cases where people are in prison or on death row for crimes they may not have committed.

From the Paper
"Scott McDonald was twenty-seven years old on October 31, 1990, when he disappeared from his home on the southern coast of Alaska. Opal Fairchild was killed, and her purse was rummaged through on March 20, 1985 at her home on East Poppy Lane by the Red Diamond Center of Soldotna, Alaska. James Spence was shot and killed in the course of a robbery of the country foods store of Soldotna, Alaska sometime late in the evening on May 15 1993 or early in the morning on May 16. All of these cold cases- older unsolved crimes- are described on the..."

Tags:science, dna, criminal justice

Abstract
This paper explains insulin protein synthesis, and the DNA and amino acids, plus the function of enzymes involved in the DNA replication.

From the Paper
"Insulin increases protein synthesis through a cell-signaling pathway involving the enzyme mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. (O'Brien) MAP kinase is activated by insulin and growth factors. (O'Brien) Insulin binds to its cell-surface receptor, then triggers an internal reaction path involving at least six intermediate proteins and enzymes, at the end of which the signal arrives at the MAP kinase enzyme. (O'Brien) At this point, the PHAS-I protein is activated by MAP kinase creating a reaction..."

Tags:insulin, DNA replication, gene, expression, enzyme, amino acid, protein synthesis

Abstract
The following paper is a brief summary of an article written by Gary Felsenfeld in which he looks at DNA and at how DNA is far more malleable and fluid than we have hitherto imagined. The paper relates that the article is more a literature review than anything else and, as such, does not have an experimental protocol or methodology section or the like, but it stands out as a good summary introduction to a complex topic.

From the Paper
"The following paper is a brief summary of an article written by Gary Felsenfeld in which he looks at DNA and at how DNA is far more malleable and fluid than we have hitherto imagined. The article is more a literature review than anything else and, as such, does not have an experimental protocol or methodology section or the like, but it stands out as a good summary introduction to a complex topic. Felsenfeld does not begin his article with a question, per se, but he does appear eager to find out how information gathered on experimental bacteria can be applied to the study of higher organisms. To wit, on page 63 of his..."

Tags:gary, felsenfeld, dna

Abstract
This paper discusses how the courts have sent innocent people to prison as well as sentencing innocent people to death row. Most people would want the courts to use evidence that can correctly punish the guilty and set free those who are innocent. The paper further discusses how DNA evidence works to link the guilty with the crime they commit and it allows the innocent to go free. DNA as evidence is vital in making the right decisions about crime.

From the Paper
"Imagine sending an innocent person to prison on charges that he or she did not commit, yet the courts have convicted and sentenced innocent people to death row. "There is no way to tell how many of the over 1,000 people executed since 1976 may also have been innocent" (Additional Innocence Information). The courts have sent innocent people to prison as well as sentencing innocent people to death row. "What if there was a way of typing a person to the scene of a crime beyond the shadow of doubt. Or, more importantly, what if you could rule out suspects and prevent the wrong person from being locked up in jail" (Meeker-O-Connell). "

Tags:dna, evidence, court

Abstract
This paper discusses use of DNA as crime scene evidence. Science has added a weapon to the crime lab's arsenal. From a drop of blood, strands of hair, or other biological material left at the crime scene, scientists can provide a much better "fingerprint", namely DNA.

Tags:dna, crime, evidence

Abstract
This essay will explore the risks of DNA research and genetic cloning in the context of Michael Crichton's book "Jurassic Park". While this paper will recognize the benefits of DNA testing, its main argument will be that, while Crichton's book is somewhat exaggerated and unrealistic, the basic warning is legitimate: that there is a certain point where man's creation can hurt humanity itself.

Tags:dna, genetic, cloning

Abstract
This paper relates that scientists have deciphered every last one of the 3 billion DNA "letters" in the human body. The author points out that the completed DNA sequence is now expected to give scientists understandings about the workings of the human body that have never been made before. The paper stresses that this development will revolutionize medicine and biology.

Tags:medicine, biology, dna, sequence