ject. Any type of organism can be identified by examination of DNA sequences unique to that species. Identifying individuals can be less precise at this time, although when DNA sequencing technologies progress further, direct characterization of very long DNA segments, and possibly even whole genomes, will become possible and will allow individual identification. To identify individuals, forensic scientists scan about 10 DNA regions that vary from person to person and use the data to create a DNA profile of the individual (sometimes called a DNA fingerprint). There is an extremely small chance that another person has the same DNA profile for a particular set of regions. There are many benefits that will come with DNA fingerprinting. Some include: identifying potential suspects whose DNA may match evidence left at crime scenes, exonerating people wrongly accused of crimes, establishing paternity and other family relationships and matching organ donors with recipients in transplant programs. Understanding plant and animal genomes will allow us to create stronger, more disease resistant plants and animals--reducing the cost of agriculture and providing consumers with more nutritious foods. Already growers are using bioengineered seeds to grow more insect and drought resistant crops that require little or no pesticide. Farmers have been able to increase outfits and reuse waste because their crops and herds are healthier. There are several legal and ethical issues and questions surrounding the Human Genome Project. There has been legislation proposed to deal with some of the potential difficulties of the project. One of the concerns is fairness in the use of genetic information by insurers, employers, courts, schools, adoption agencies, and the military, among others. For example, who should have access to personal genetic information, and how will it be used? Many people question weather insurance companies and employers have a right to ge...
