Use of DNA profiles
Tracking lumber
DNA profiles are now being used to track lumber products from the cut tree to the wooden product.
According to Andrew Lowe, chief scientific officer of DoubleHelix in Singapore.
, "Tree DNA is still present in tables, chairs, floors, decking and even guitars – but as the wood has been kiln-dried and treated with chemicals, the DNA is like a messed-up jigsaw puzzle."[1] Although the DNA is mangled in the processed wood products, PCR techniques allow scientists to reconstruct some segments of the DNA in wood cells. These segments are then compared to segments from known DNA profiles of tree species in the gel electrophoresis process which produces the DNA profile images. When enough tree populations are profiled, tracking wood products can be one technique to impede the illegal lumber trade that is demolishing tropical forests and endangering the biodiversity of these forests. But this process can only detect the dead wood so other protection schemes need to be in place to prevent the trees from being cut in the first place. The ethical issues of deforestation and conserving biodiversity of the rainforests is covered in Option G 3 Impacts of humans on ecosystems. The techniques of PCR and gel electrophoresis are covered in Topic 4.4 Genetic Engineering & biotechnology. This story is an excellent mechanism to weave the fabric of the biology topics.
Footnotes
- 1. Lynas, Mark. "DNA detectives aim to thwart illegal timber trade." New Scientist. Reed Business Information, 28 Sept. 2011. Web. 5 Oct. 2011. .