Beware, bad guys—your DNA is in the air.
Human DNA has been shown to be present almost everywhere, including
furniture, footprints, and even free space, making it possible to sequence
it in the future.
Environmental samples from the US and Ireland were collected and evaluated
by researchers, who discovered that high-quality human DNA may be easily
found and associated with an individual.
The research, which was
published
in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, demonstrated that so-called
ambient DNA is sufficient to ascertain the genetic origin of adjacent
populations as well as to assist in determining how illnesses evolve
locally. It also demonstrated how eDNA may pave the way for breakthroughs in
forensics and health.
A team from the University of Florida lead by David Duffy, an assistant
professor of wildlife disease genomics, collected samples locally and
internationally with the consent of all individuals who gave their DNA for
the study.
They collected barefoot human footprints from the beach, water samples from
rivers and seas, pristine beach sand, and air samples from various
locations.
With the exception of two distant national parks and solitary islands, the
researchers discovered evidence of human life practically everywhere they
looked.
Scientists discovered eDNA in air samples taken from a veterinary clinic,
and they were able to connect it to the employees, animal patients, and
common animal infections.
Researchers claim that eDNA might be used to find hidden archaeological sites, track cancer
and other illness alterations, and even use airborne suspect identification
at crime scenes.
Throughout this investigation, Duffy noted, "We've been continually
surprised at the quantity and quality of human DNA we find." The majority of
the time, the quality is nearly identical to that of a human sample.
The ground-breaking discovery, however, raises moral questions and may
endanger personal privacy because such practical DNA collection may make it
easier to gather genetic data without a person's express agreement.
"Every time we create a technical advancement, there are positive
applications for the technology as well as negative applications. Nothing
has changed," Duffy said. We are attempting to bring up these concerns early
in order to give society and legislators time to create legislation.
