GHANA will, from next year, conduct genetic and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fingerprint tests in the country. This will cut down on the cost of conducting these tests, which are currently done outside the country . A world class facility, 'Scientellect,' the first in sub-Saharan Africa, would provide a competitive and direct application of genetic and DNA tests in hospitals and fertility centres, the police and other security agencies and agricultural services. The tests can be used to determine the true lineage of persons contesting for chieftaincy title and paternity cases. The facility can also be useful to financial and insurance institutions and research universities Dr Ebenezer Appiah Denkyira, Director of Human Resource at the Ministry of Health, who disclosed this at a presentation on Genetic Testing and DNA Fingerprinting in Accra on Thursday demonstrated how the facility would provide a major breakthrough in the country's health sector. The Chief Executive Officer of Scientellect, Dr Kenneth Frimpong, said the genetic code of every individual is unique, adding that "DNA based methods would help distinguish between individuals of the same species. He said, genetic testing would help track the membership of a particular clan to curb chieftaincy disputes in the country. "DNA can be used for rapid detection of disease outbreaks, identifying specific infectious agent and by scientists quickly detecting and determining the source of food and waterborne disease outbreaks", he said. Dr. Frimpong said DNA fingerprinting promotes good health adding, the facility would be made accessible to all Ghanaians to ensure the total health care of all and sundry. Source: Ghanaian Times