Method for selective amplification of desired amplicons in a two-stage polymerase chain reaction. comprising the steps of: • providing a target genetic material; • denaturing the target genetic material; • adding a set of target primers under conditions allowing annealing of primers to the target genetic material; * each primer in said set of target primers comprising ◆ a target specific sequence. ◆ a mismatch control sequence. and ◆ a generic hybridization sequence; * said generic hybridization sequence being identical in each target primer; * said mismatch control sequence and generic hybridization sequence being in close proximity to each other; and * said set of target primers comprising at least two primer pairs adapted for amplification of at least two overlapping desired amplicons in the target genetic material. such that there is a possibility of obtaining at least one undesired amplicon in the region of overlap; * said set of target primers being further characterized in that any pair of primers that flank a desired amplicon sequence have non-matching mismatch control sequences. while any pair of primers that flank an undesired amplicon sequence have matching mismatch control sequences; • carrying out a first multiplex polymerase chain reaction. resulting in overlapping amplicons corresponding to different possible pair-wise combinations of primers in the first set of primers. said overlapping amplicons being maintained under conditions such that they self-hybridize through base-pair coupling between the complementary sequences resulting from the generic hybridization sequence in each primer; • treating said overlapping amplicons under selection conditions that are such that desired amplicons denature because of non-complementary sequences resulting from the non-matching mismatch control sequences. while undesired amplicons stay self-hybridized because of additional complementary sequences resulting from the matching mismatch control sequences; • adding generic primers. each comprising a sequence which is complementary to the generic hybridization sequence; • carrying out a second polymerase chain reaction. resulting in the selective amplification of desired amplicons. • providing a target genetic material; • denaturing the target genetic material; • adding a set of target primers under conditions allowing annealing of primers to the target genetic material; * each primer in said set of target primers comprising ◆ a target specific sequence. ◆ a mismatch control sequence. and ◆ a generic hybridization sequence; * said generic hybridization sequence being identical in each target primer; * said mismatch control sequence and generic hybridization sequence being in close proximity to each other; and * said set of target primers comprising at least two primer pairs adapted for amplification of at least two overlapping desired amplicons in the target genetic material. such that there is a possibility of obtaining at least one undesired amplicon in the region of overlap; * said set of target primers being further characterized in that any pair of primers that flank a desired amplicon sequence have non-matching mismatch control sequences. while any pair of primers that flank an undesired amplicon sequence have matching mismatch control sequences; * each primer in said set of target primers comprising ◆ a target specific sequence. ◆ a mismatch control sequence. and ◆ a generic hybridization sequence; ◆ a target specific sequence. ◆ a mismatch control sequence. and ◆ a generic hybridization sequence; * said generic hybridization sequence being identical in each target primer; * said mismatch control sequence and generic hybridization sequence being in close proximity to each other; and * said set of target primers comprising at least two primer pairs adapted for amplification of at least two overlapping desired amplicons in the target genetic material. such that there is a possibility of obtaining at least one undesired amplicon in the region of overlap; * said set of target primers being further characterized in that any pair of primers that flank a desired amplicon sequence have non-matching mismatch control sequences. while any pair of primers that flank an undesired amplicon sequence have matching mismatch control sequences; • carrying out a first multiplex polymerase chain reaction. resulting in overlapping amplicons corresponding to different possible pair-wise combinations of primers in the first set of primers. said overlapping amplicons being maintained under conditions such that they self-hybridize through base-pair coupling between the complementary sequences resulting from the generic hybridization sequence in each primer; • treating said overlapping amplicons under selection conditions that are such that desired amplicons denature because of non-complementary sequences resulting from the non-matching mismatch control sequences. while undesired amplicons stay self-hybridized because of additional complementary sequences resulting from the matching mismatch control sequences; • adding generic primers. each comprising a sequence which is complementary to the generic hybridization sequence; • carrying out a second polymerase chain reaction. resulting in the selective amplification of desired amplicons.