Using DNA to Identify Tsunami Victims
Sorenson Genomics issued a press release this morning announcing that it is helping the people of Thailand to identify their deceased.
They create DNA profiles of the most badly decomposed bodies using tissue samples. Then, they create similar DNA profiles from living family members. By comparing similarities in the profiles, they can reasonably determine which body belongs to which family.
You might know Sorenson Genomics through a couple of its subsidiary companies, Relative Genetics, which assists genealogists in validating family pedigrees, and GeneTree, which offers paternity testing.
Apparently, the demand for accurate DNA analysis is reaching a new level of urgency after the Thai government instituted a death benefit of $1,000 for surviving family members of each victim. In order to claim the death benefit and to perform traditional Buddhist last rites for the victims, family members need to demonstrate a genetic relationship with the victim.
They create DNA profiles of the most badly decomposed bodies using tissue samples. Then, they create similar DNA profiles from living family members. By comparing similarities in the profiles, they can reasonably determine which body belongs to which family.
You might know Sorenson Genomics through a couple of its subsidiary companies, Relative Genetics, which assists genealogists in validating family pedigrees, and GeneTree, which offers paternity testing.
Apparently, the demand for accurate DNA analysis is reaching a new level of urgency after the Thai government instituted a death benefit of $1,000 for surviving family members of each victim. In order to claim the death benefit and to perform traditional Buddhist last rites for the victims, family members need to demonstrate a genetic relationship with the victim.
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