An electrical current is then used to move the pieces of DNA across a gel material. This process is called gel electrophoresis. Because everyone's DNA code is unique, the length of DNA pieces are different and the patterns made as the pieces move are unique. The patterns can be used to tell whether DNA, for instance from a crime scene, matches the DNA from the suspect. Since half your DNA comes from your mother and half comes from your father, this technique can also be used to help identify the parents of children.
Oceanographers have many uses for gene technology.
Check out some of the ways it can benefit our ocean environment. Here is a bibliography covering all the ways oceanographers are trying to improve the survival rate of fish through genetic engineering. See how Ohio State University is using biotechnology to help clean up pollutants and improve fisheries.