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Subject: [DNA] IdentiGene (company mentioned on Cyndi's List)
Date: Mon, 2 Sep 2002 20:31:41 EDT
I get copies of Cyndi's List updates when they include the word DNA. Most
recently, there was a listing for IdentiGene, a company that is setting up a
database called "DNA Family Find," with the goal of reuniting adopted
children and their birth parents. Reading between the lines, I would guess
that the database will store DNA profiles similar to the CODIS markers used
for individual ID and paternity tests.
This should work in principle. Everyone has two copies of the CODIS markers,
one inherited from the father and the other from the mother. The combination
makes you unique. If your profile is entered into the database, a search will
reveal if there's a person who shares one of your alleles at every marker. If
so, the probability is very high that the two people have a parent/child
relationship.
Whether this will work in practice depends on how big the database is, which
also depends on whether both parties are searching for each other. This is
not the first effort to use DNA to reunite families. A year or so ago there
was a flurry of publicity about Linda Hammer, who runs The-Seeker website.
However, I haven't seen much about that recently.
http://www.the-seeker.com/dna.htm
IdentiGene charges $160 for "Individual DNA Type" and $350 for "DNA Family
Find." Again, I am reading between the lines, but I would guess that the $350
represents a mark-up over the "Individual DNA Type" for database development
and maintenance.
There were a couple of other interesting things on IdentiGene's web site.
They also offer a Y chromosome test, which costs $1000 to process two
samples, who must be black or Caucasian! I have written to the web site to
find out what markers are used and why the test is limited.
http://www.identigene.com/SWIMX/products/other.asp
They also have a file about their success rate in extracting DNA samples from
various sources.
http://www.identigene.com/SWIMX/docs/SamplePreference.PDF
While prowling the web looking for more material about special samples, I
came across another web site. I was pleased to see that FTA cards (the kind I
provide with my DNA Filer Kits) involve a very modest surcharge from the DNA
Testing Centre:
http://www.dnatestingcentre.com/SpecialSamples.pdf
Ann Turner
GENEALOGY-DNA List Administrator
http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Miscellaneous/GENEALOGY-DNA.html
DNA preservation kits: http://www.dnafiler.com
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