DNA fingerprinting project under way

A genetic company, Scientellect, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is embarking on a genetic testing, DNA fingerprinting project in the country. The DNA fingerprinting will be used for rapid detection of disease outbreaks and to identify specific infectious agents.

The chief executive officer of the company, Kenneth Frimpong, in a presentation noted that the use of the DNA fingerprinting will enable scientists to detect and determine the source of food and waterborne diseases. He said the equipment which will be the second in Africa will improve public health intervention with regard to time and cost effectiveness.

He said the DNA based method will cover areas like forensics, public health surveillance, food safety and conservation, among others. Dr. Frimpong explained that the equipment will as well address chieftaincy conflicts since it will provide a royalty ancestry DNA service to know the history of a royal throne.