The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) composition of a human determines hair color, eye color, skin color, and any other physical or behavioral traits exhibited. DNA has a specific pattern that is called a DNA fingerprint. The chance that two people would have the same DNA fingerprint is one in thirty billion (except in cases of identical twins) (Mosby 1998). Since it is incredibly rare that two people do have an identical DNA pattern, there are many uses for the DNA Fingerprint. This paper will give a brief summary of what DNA fingerprinting is. It will tell its uses for today as well as how it will be used in the future. It will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using DNA fingerprints. An abstract look at characteristics passed down by the parent and how inherited characteristics are linked to DNA fingerprints. Finally, an experiment with Drosophilia Melonogaster will be discussed.
             Every human cell (except gametes) contains a set of 23 chromosomes. Inside the chromosome is a coiled mass of genetic material called DNA. The structure of DNA looks like a twisted ladder with rungs. The four nitrogen bases that make up DNA are adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine (A, T, G, C) which are the rungs of the ladder. The pattern in which these fragments align on the ladder (A-G and T-C) is called a DNA fingerprint. Alec Jefferys and colleagues at Lister Institute discovered this concept in 1985 (Levy 1996). There are only slight variations in the DNA pattern of each individual that is why we all essentially have arms, legs, heads and abdomens (Levy 1996). There are two different methods or techniques for testing DNA.
             One technique used is called Southern Blotting (named after Ed Southern). In order for scientists to use this method, they must first separate the DNA from the cells of the body. Then scientists use restriction enzymes to cut the DNA into different sizes. Gel electrophoresis is used to separate t...