Essay/Term paper: Flourescence in-situ hybridisation and its advantages

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Science

Flourescence In-situ Hybridisation and Its Advantages


Flourescence in-situ hybridisation is a great advancement in technology
because there are fewer chances of a miscarriage, the parents receive faster
results, and the tests are easier to do. In the future, FISH will be able to
decrease the chances of a miscarriage by using samples of maternal blood instead
of amniotic fluid. The problem with amniocentesis is it uses a hollow needle to
take fluid from the mother's uterus. The needle could damage the developing
fetus if not inserted properly. Another advantage of FISH is that the parents
get a much quicker test result than amniocentesis. After the sample is taken,
amniocentesis can take up to three weeks before a test can be administered.
With FISH, a same day result is given, which is much more convenient to the
parents. Additionally, FISH is a simpler process. It uses specially prepared
molecules which bind to specific regions of DNA. To find a particular gene, the
examiner just looks for the flourescent coloured molecule
that bonds to that specific gene. In amniocentesis, test cells are cultured
for three weeks and then tested. The chromosomes are then counted manually, and
compared to a chart of normal chromosomes. This can be difficult, as the tester
is looking for an extra chromosome 21. So because the test is much simpler,
quicker, and reduces the risks of miscarriages, flourescence in-situ
hybridisation is an incredible discovery in the field of genetics.