Remember that genus and species names are usually Latin words that describe important or distinctive charactersitics of the organism. When you lick an envelope, you may be sending a more detailed message than you realize. Your saliva leaves a DNA fingerprint that not only says who you are, but also whether you have a genetic predisposition for certain diseases. Genetic testing is a valuable method currently being used by the police, insurance companies, and of course, physicians. Recently developed molecular techniques can determine the sequence of your DNA from just a few stray cells.
Genetic testing is a powerful tool that can be used for many prurposes.
Forensic testing, which is the newest area to use information obtained from genetic testing, seeks to discover a genetic linkage between suspects and evidence discovered in criminal investigations. Test results have been presented as proof of innocence or guilt in court cases, and jury verdicts have been based on this type of genetic evidence. Take this simple genetic test and see if you can determine the culprit . Adaptation Adaptations are characteristics of organisms which make the individuals that have them more likely to survive and reproduce. Many adaptations are extremely complex, and it's often difficult to imagine that they could arise naturally and without being 'designed'.