DNA Bioscience

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DNA Bioscience is a DNA testing company offering a DNA paternity testing service in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 2003 [1] and ended within two years.

DNA Molecule that encodes the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known organisms and many viruses

Deoxyribonucleic acid is a molecule composed of two chains that coil around each other to form a double helix carrying the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses. DNA and ribonucleic acid (RNA) are nucleic acids; alongside proteins, lipids and complex carbohydrates (polysaccharides), nucleic acids are one of the four major types of macromolecules that are essential for all known forms of life.

DNA paternity testing is the use of DNA profiling to determine whether two individuals are biologically parent and child. A test establishes genetic proof whether a man is the biological father of an individual, and a maternity test establishes whether a woman is the biological mother of an individual. Tests can also determine the likelihood of someone being a biological grandparent to a grandchild. Though genetic testing is the most reliable standard, older methods also exist, including ABO blood group typing, analysis of various other proteins and enzymes, or using human leukocyte antigen antigens. The current techniques for paternity testing are using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Paternity testing can now also be performed while the woman is still pregnant from a blood draw.

The company gained much press in 2005 when the UK politician David Blunkett bought shares in the company, shortly after which he became Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. He failed to declare his interest in the company, which ultimately led to his resignation from the Cabinet in November 2005. [2]

David Blunkett British politician

David Blunkett, Baron Blunkett, is a former British politician, having represented the Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough constituency for 28 years through to 7 May 2015 when he stepped down at the general election. Blind since birth, and coming from a poor family in one of Sheffield's most deprived districts, he rose to become Education and Employment Secretary, Home Secretary and Work and Pensions Secretary in Tony Blair's Cabinet following Labour's victory in the 1997 general election.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions United Kingdom government cabinet minister

Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, or informally Work and Pensions Secretary is a post in the British Cabinet, responsible for the Department for Work and Pensions. It was created on 8 June 2001 by the merger of the Employment division of the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Security.

Cabinet of the United Kingdom collective decision-making body of the British government

The Cabinet of the United Kingdom is the collective decision-making body of Her Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom, composed of the Prime Minister and 21 cabinet ministers, the most senior of the government ministers.

The company went into liquidation on 8 December 2005 [3] [2] and was bought by an American-based DNA testing laboratory. [4]

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References

  1. ↑ "DNA Bioscience Brings Breakthrough in Home DNA Testing". PR Newswire. 8 August 2003. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  2. 1 2 Antony Barnett and Tania Branigan "DNA company that Blunkett backed heads for collapse", The Guardian , 9 December 2005
  3. ↑ Rosie Murray-West "Blunkett could lose £15,000 as DNA company faces insolvency", Daily Telegraph , 10 December 2005
  4. ↑ "Debts force Blunkett DNA test company to halt trading", The Times , 12 December 2005 (subscription needed)
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