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1.
What Is DNA?
2. What Is A DNASecure Card?
3. What Other Personal Identification Services Are
Offered by DNASecure?
4. What Is Verified And Preserved DNA?
5. Why Have A DNASecure Card?
6. Why Use DNA For Identification Rather Than Fingerprints
Or Dental Records?
7. What Is A DNASecure Profile?
8. Do All Laboratories Produce The Same DNA Profile
On Individuals?
9. How Is DNA Collected For Testing?
10. How Do I Get A Buccal Swab Sample Collected By
An Independent Third Party?
11. Why Is The Buccal Swab Collection Preferred By
Laboratories?
12. Why Not Just Store A Buccal Swab For Future Testing?
13. Why Not Have The Laboratory Store My DNA?
14. Why Not Just Obtain My DNA Profile?
15. Why Does DNASecure Return Two DNASecure Cards
Rather Than One?
16. How Do I Store My DNASecure Cards?
17. How Do I Have the DNASecure Card Tested?
18. How Confidential Is The DNA Analysis?
19. What About The Other Information I Provide?
20. Is The DNASecure Card Or Testing Performed From
It Admissible In Court?
21. How Do I Order DNASecure's Personal Identification
Service?
22. Can I send in DNA Samples Of Someone Other Than
Myself Or Purchase It As A Gift?
23. How Long Does It Take For The Laboratory To Return
My DNASecure Cards And Profile?
24. If I Loose My DNASecure Cards, Can The Laboratory
Send Me Another?
25. Who Is DNASecure?
26. Where Can I Get More Information About DNA?
1.
What Is DNA?
DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is the genetic material that uniquely
identifies an individual. DNA is found in most living cells in the
human body.
2.
What Is A DNASecure Card?
The DNASecure Card: Is a small matchbook-type
folder containing special paper which preserves DNA. DNASecure will
provide you with a collection kit containing sterile swabs to be
used for collecting cell samples from inside your cheek (commonly
called "buccal cells"). Through DNASecure, the swabs samples
are provided to our laboratory that will return two DNASecure Cards
containing your verified, preserved DNA. The cards can be stored
in any secure area and used for future DNA analysis.
3.
What Other Personal Identification Services Are Offered by DNASecure?
Our other Identification Service offerings are:
The DNASecure Personal Identification Portfolio:
Our Personal Identification Portfolio is a booklet containing helpful
emergency information, Medical Release forms and areas to record
personal identification information such as fingerprints, pictures
and emergency contact information. The DNASecure Portfolio also
has a specific area for storage of one DNASecure Card.
The
DNASecure Profile:
From the DNA swab sample, our laboratory will perform 12 to 16 tests
which will result in a report of a DNA pattern unique to you.
DNASecure
Sample Collection Kit:
With any of our products, we will supply you with a DNASecure sample
collection kit. The collection kit contains everything you will
need to collect a suitable DNA sample and submit it to the laboratory
for analysis, including a postage paid return mailer.
4.
What Is Verified And Preserved DNA?
Verification: First, our laboratory
extracts DNA from the cells in the sample submitted (such as a cheek
swab). After extraction of the DNA from the cells, the laboratory
tests the DNA to determine that the extracted DNA is viable. The
determination that the extract contains viable DNA means that there
is sufficient quantity and quality of DNA for use in most of the
genetic tests currently available and for use in new tests as they
become available in the future.
Preservation:
DNA is "Preserved" when the viable DNA is permanently
affixed to DNASecure Cards. The paper in these cards protects the
DNA from viruses and bacteria which can contaminate the DNA sample.
The cards are then sealed individually and returned to the appropriate
individual along with a certification of viable DNA. These cards
can be submitted to a medical or forensic laboratory at any future
time for the desired DNA testing.
5.
Why Have A DNASecure Card?
The DNASecure Card containing your verified DNA can be used for
future genetic testing. The value of having Verified DNA is the
ability to conduct DNA tests pertaining to an individual who is
not available to provide a viable DNA sample. One of the most publicized
uses has been facilitating the identification of victims of a major
disaster. Increasingly individuals, often with the sponsorship of
their employers, are arranging for their DNA samples to be taken
before traveling overseas, especially to high risk areas. Other
uses include:
• Aiding in the search for missing persons - runaways and abductions
• Testing for some inherited disease vulnerabilities
• Resolution of parentage and sibling issues
• Resolution of inheritance issues
• Discovery of relatives through Genealogy Testing
• Peace of mind for international travelers
6. Why Use DNA For Identification
Rather Than Fingerprints Or Dental Records?
The arrangement of DNA segments within your genes is unique to each
individual. It is the most definitive means of identifying an individual.
Laboratory analysis of some of the DNA segments can determine an
individual's DNA profile and then match it to another sample for
identification purposes.
While finger prints are a valid
method of identification, they cannot be used in disasters such
as fires. Children's fingerprints continuously change during the
first 14 years of life, and therefore should be updated every 6
to12 months. Very small children do not have fully developed ridges
so fingerprint identification is difficult at best.
Dental records also must be updated
with a child's growth or as an individual has dental work performed.
Again, in disasters where bodies are not intact, dental records
might not be a source of identification.
DNA can be recovered from small
fragments of a body making it the best means of identification under
most circumstances.
7. What Is A DNASecure Profile?
The DNASecure Profile is a report of a series of tests (also called
"probes") which detect patterns within a DNA sample and
in combination uniquely identify an individual. Related individuals
will share some DNA patterns since we inherit our DNA patterns from
our parents.
8. Do All Laboratories Produce
The Same DNA Profile On Individuals?
No, there are a number of variations to the profiles laboratories
report. Laboratories can use various technologies or systems to
determine a DNA profile. The type of profile produced is dependent
on:
•
The laboratories preference:
new technology, cost, analysis time and instrumentation.
•
The type of sample submitted
to the laboratory: a degraded sample, such as that obtained from
a burn victim, will often require a more expensive, sophisticated
system than one used for buccal swabs samples.
•
The purpose of testing: if
testing is required in connection with a crime, a special system
is employed so results can be compared to the FBI database in this
county, while a different system is used in other countries.
9. How Is DNA Collected For Testing?
While a sample of living cells from a human can yield DNA for analysis,
the industry standard is a buccal swab collection. This method utilizes
cells collected on a sterile swab rubbed on the inner cheek.
You can collect your own sample
or that of your child on a buccal swab using our collection kit.
If future DNA testing would need to be court admissible, the buccal
sample should be collected by an independent third party such as
a family doctor.
10. How Do I Get A Buccal Swab
Sample Collected By An Independent Third Party?
DNASecure can assist you in obtaining a collection from a third
party. It is usually very simple to set an appointment with a professional
or you can have your family doctor, dentist or healthcare clinic
obtain your sample and send it to us.
11. Why Is The Buccal Swab Collection
Preferred By Laboratories?
The procedure allows for collection by unskilled individuals, rather
than forensic or medically trained professionals and it usually
yields a sufficient quantity of DNA for testing. It is painless
and the swabs are easily shipped to laboratories.
12. Why Not Just Store A Buccal
Swab For Future Testing?
A swab stored for a period of time will usually yield sufficient
DNA for testing, but not always. Storing a swab has these limitations:
•
First, DNA is not visible
to the human eye, so it is impossible to determine if the swab contains
DNA in sufficient quantity for testing.
•
Second, the collected swab
must be properly dried and stored to maintain the viability of the
DNA
•
And, finally, over time bacteria
and other organisms transferred from the saliva to the swab can
destroy the DNA.
In the event that DNA testing
is needed, it would be a tragedy to discover an individual's stored
swabs did not contain enough viable DNA for laboratory analysis.
13. Why Not Have The Laboratory
Store My DNA?
Storing DNA (or DNA "banking") by a third party has some
risks, such as:
•
Anything stored by an independent
agency is subject to the stability of that agency (e.g. how long
will they be in business), storage conditions, filing system and
disasters such as fires or tornadoes.
•
The laboratory is in possession
of your DNA, so if you choose to have it tested by another agency
you must request its release.
•
You must obtain guarantees
and have faith that the laboratory will not use your DNA for unauthorized
testing or release the sample to third parties without your authorization.
14. Why Not Just Obtain My DNA
Profile?
A profile performed in one specific laboratory today, may not meet
the requirements for future testing because of new technology, the
type of sample to be tested for comparison or the reason for testing
(relationship, disease marker, etc.)
15. Why Does DNASecure Return
Two DNASecure Cards Rather Than One?
In a word, security. Actually, one card is sufficient for most laboratory
analyses. DNASecure returns two cards to you so they maybe stored
in different locations or with different family members. Two separate
cards provide the added security that a DNASecure card can quickly
be provided to a laboratory for testing.
16. How Do I Store My DNASecure
Cards?
Your DNASecure cards will be returned with storage directions. They
are sealed in an airtight package to eliminate the adverse effects
of humidity. It is recommended they be stored in secure areas at
room temperature.
17. How Do I Have the DNASecure
Card Tested?
You can contact us at 1-817-896-1693
at anytime and we will assist you in using your DNASecure card for
the testing you desire. We also provide information on obtaining
DNA Testing services with the DNASecure Card.
18. How Confidential Is The DNA
Analysis?
DNASecure recognizes the sensitivity and legitimate concern surrounding
DNA. Preparation of the DNASecure Card and DNASecure Profile does
not involve any testing for diseases, race or matching for
purposes of paternity or criminal information. The testing merely
confirms that the extracted DNA is suitable for analysis. The laboratory
staff is bound by government privacy laws such as HIPAA, as well
as stringent corporate confidentiality policies. Once your DNASecure
Cards have been shipped to you, we retain none of they DNA and the
swabs are destroyed by the laboratory, assuring you that no other
analysis can be done.
19. What About The Other Information
I Provide?
The information you provide to us will be used only to process your
order. We maintain customary safeguards to protect the information
from unauthorized access or use. We will not share such information
with any third party without your permission.
20. Is The DNASecure Card Or
Testing Performed From It Admissible In Court?
While the DNASecure Card can be used for testing to resolve legal
issues, we would recommend that it be collected by an independent
third party if testing for court proceeding such as paternity were
desired.
21. How Do I Order DNASecure's
Personal Identification Service?
You can order any of the products via our website, www.DNASecure.com
or by calling us at 1-817-896-1693.
22. Can I send in DNA Samples
Of Someone Other Than Myself Or Purchase It As A Gift?
Samples can be submitted by anyone, but the party being tested or
their legal guardian must sign a consent form before our laboratory
can perform testing. The consent form will direct us where to send
the DNASecure Card and/or DNA Profile.
DNASecure's personal identification
service is a perfect gift and can be purchased as such. The purchaser
will direct us where to send the collection kit, accompanied by
an explanation of the product and gift card.
23.
How Long Does It Take For The Laboratory To Return My DNASecure
Cards And DNASecure Profile?
On average, the DNASecure products will be returned to you within
2 to 3 weeks from the receipt of your sample.
24. If I Loose My DNASecure Cards,
Can The Laboratory Produce Another One For Me?
No. Since all samples are destroyed once the DNA Card is produced,
the laboratory would not be able to produce another one unless a
new swab sample was submitted. Should your DNASecure Cards become
lost or damaged, call us at 1-817-896-1693
so we can provide you with another collection kit.
25. Who Is DNASecure?
DNASecure is a unit of AQ Projects, Inc., a Texas corporation founded
in 1991. DNASecure was founded to utilize our expertise in customer
satisfaction and knowledge of the DNA industry in order to provide
the best quality DNA identity product in the most economical fashion.
We provide this service to individuals and in cooperation with non-profit
agencies and certain industries.
Experience
satisfying our customers
AQ Projects has been involved in a number of their client's projects,
working to satisfy both corporate needs and client's quality expectations.
Some of the customers that AQ Projects has worked with include:
KnowledgeBase, Experian, Lockheed Martin, Tumbleweed, Orkand, TRW,
AT&T, Northrop Grumman and Tandem Computers.
Experience
in DNA services
Recently, AQ Projects has teamed with DNA professionals to work
with a corporate client who requested a personal identification
product for children. Together they have formed DNASecure, a company
focused on providing a service for DNA personal identification for
both adults and children. After significant research and discussions
with the leading DNA laboratories, a DNA identification service
and personal identification portfolio were developed to meet the
needs of clients. Additionally, DNASecure has negotiated a cost
conscious price with Sorenson Genomics, a fully accredited laboratory,
to perform the testing service. Based on the response our products
have received, DNASecure has decided to offer our products to non-profit
agencies and interested individuals.
Sorenson
Genomics
To provide the DNA services offered, DNASecure has chosen Sorenson
Genomics, a world class genomics laboratory and industry leader
in state of the art DNA analysis. The laboratory uses advanced techniques
and automated systems for DNA extraction, purification and genetic
analysis. Sorenson Genomics has been providing a variety of DNA
analytical services to a worldwide clientele for over 3 years. Sorenson
Genomics holds American Association of Blood Banks accreditation
for parentage and relationship testing, is accredited by National
Forensic Science Technology Center for ISO 17025 and participates
in the College of American Pathologists Paternity, Forensic ID and
mtDNA proficiency testing.
26. Where Can
I Get More Information About DNA?
There are many Internet sites which fully describe the molecular
structure of DNA, its function in the human body, its scientific
discovery and its history. Here are a few topics and sites that
you may wish to visit:
http://www.dnaftb.org
An animated primer on the basics of DNA, Genes and Heredity
http://www.nhgri.nih.gov
The Website of the National Human Genome Project containing information
on DNA, Genes and applications.
http://genome.gov/glossary.cfm
Also from the National Human Genome Research Institute, a talking
glossary of genetic terms for the non-scientist.
http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/
From the University of Utah, a site that explains the basics
of genetics, genetic disorders and genetics in society.
http://pbs.org
From PBS you can access many topics on DNA
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