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To contact the Consumer Department of Sistemas Genómicos please go to Consumer
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If you wish to contact the Web Manager please go to the Webmaster
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DNA is the molecule that contains all the necessary information for the development and function of the human body. It is responsible of transmitting most hereditary characters from one generation to the next.
The information contained in DNA is of great medical importance because it includes instructions for the development and function of the human body, and therefore offers unique possibilities for understanding a great number of diseases.
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What does the study of DNA contribute?
The development of molecular biology techniques not only entails a revolution in many areas of science, but is also providing tools that noticeably improve the quality of life in our society. These are some of the possibilities that have arisen thanks to genomic technology.
- Identifying biological samples without any possible errors, expediting police investigations and reducing the risk of errors. This also facilitates finding missing persons, identification of remains in accidents and demonstrating family relationships.
- Detecting dangerous microorganisms in food products, with a sensibility that was previously impossible. This provides safer alimentation, reducing the possibilities of food intoxication.
- Studying and diagnosing genetic diseases, and sometimes avoiding their transmission to the offspring of affected individuals, making it possible to fight diseases of which not even their cause was known a few years ago.
- Treating severe genetic diseases such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). SCID forces the affected individuals to live in sterile conditions (bubble-boy syndrome) because they lack an efficient immune system due to a defect in a gene. Today, genetic engineering techniques allow implanting the correct gene in some of the child's cells, which reactivates the immune system and allows leading a normal life.
- Studying the natural history of living beings, because DNA comparisons allow establishing relationships between different species which leads to further understanding on their evolution. Additionally, DNA has been obtained from extinct animals, such as the mammoth, providing information on their biology that was previously inaccessible.
- Obtaining data for reconstructing the history of the human species, obtaining important information from a wide variety of sources (mummies, animal and plant remains from their diet, burials, extinct hominids, etc.).
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