ABSTRACT
Recombinant DNA methods and their application to molecular biology problems have generated not only scientific debate, controversy, and re-evaluation of theories regarding gene structure and function, but have also generated significant public debate regarding safety, ethics, and economic potential of this type of research. Molecular biology has provided several new tools, including restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, the polymerase chain reaction, and DNA fingerprinting, that are becoming increasingly common in the determination of genetic traits of individuals. The DNA fingerprint has become a molecular biology tool with increasing legal significance. Relatively little controversy has been associated with the use of molecular biology methods to help couples at risk for genetic disorders decide whether to have children. Resolving the controversy surrounding application of molecular biology methods to forensic and legal problems will require modifications within the fingerprinting companies and a reasonable general public understanding of molecular biology.
