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Chromosome Probes At The University Of Toronto - School Essays

Chromosome Probes At The University Of Toronto



Sensitive chromosome probes recently discovered by a University of
Toronto geneticist will make it easier to detect certain types of genetic
and prenatal diseases, as well as being used to determine paternity and
provide forensic evidence in criminal cases.

Probes are short pieces of DNA which bind to, and actually pinpoint,
particular sites on a chromosome. Because these new probes are actually
repeated hundreds or thousands of time at a particular site, they are much
more sensitive than previously available ones.

Of the 23 pairs of human chromosomes, Dr. F.H. Willard has discovered
repeated probes or markers for six plus the gender determining X and Y
chromosomes. "What we're ...

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and could be available to all pregnant women who wish to take
advantage of the technology.

Current prenatal testing involves growing fetal cells in vitro and
examining them, over one or two months, to see if there are two copies of a
particular chromosome, which is normal, or one or three, which is abnormal.
A test using Willard's probes would require only a few cells and a few days
to detect abnormalities. "I don't think it's beyond the realm of
possibility that these kinds of tests could eventually be done by an
obstetrician in the office during the early stages of pregnancy," he adds.

The determination of gender is another possible use for the probes.
Many diseases, such as Duschene's muscular dystrophy, show up on the X
chromosome, manifesting only in boys. Willard thinks it is possible to
develop a test which would quickly indicate the fetus' sex. This would
benefit parents whose only option is to have no children or to have only
girls.

Confirming gender in ...

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Chromosome Probes At The University Of Toronto. (2007, April 27). Retrieved March 29, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Chromosome-Probes-At-The-University-Toronto/63987
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"Chromosome Probes At The University Of Toronto." Essayworld.com. April 27, 2007. Accessed March 29, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Chromosome-Probes-At-The-University-Toronto/63987.
"Chromosome Probes At The University Of Toronto." Essayworld.com. April 27, 2007. Accessed March 29, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Chromosome-Probes-At-The-University-Toronto/63987.
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PAPER DETAILS
Added: 4/27/2007 08:04:36 AM
Category: Science & Nature
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 726
Pages: 3

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