DNA polymorphisms are variations in the genetic sequence that occur
within a population. These polymorphisms can be used as genetic markers to identify
individuals, determine familial relationships, and study population genetics. Genetic
fingerprinting is a widely used method for identifying individuals based on DNA
polymorphisms. Genetic fingerprinting involves the analysis of DNA polymorphisms
at multiple loci to generate a unique genetic profile for an individual. The most
common types of DNA polymorphisms used for genetic fingerprinting are short
tandem repeats (STRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). STRs are short,
repeated sequences of DNA that vary in length between individuals. They are highly
polymorphic and generate DNA profiles by analyzing the number of repeats at each
locus. SNP markers, on the other hand, are single nucleotide variations that occur at
specific positions within the genome. They are less polymorphic than STRs, but
genetic mapping and association studies are widely used. Genetic fingerprinting has
many applications, including forensic science, paternity testing, and conservation
biology. However, the use of genetic data also raises ethical concerns regarding privacy
and discrimination.
Keywords: Conservation biology, DNA profiles, DNA polymorphisms, Genetic fingerprinting, Paternity testing, Short tandem repeats (STRs), Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
