DNA: What Is This DNA?

By David Ndirangu

Worth Noting:

• During his last visit to the US he had had an argument with his wife about a toy he that had bought his four year old last born son. The mother claimed that he was spoiling the boy since in her opinion the toy was too expensive. Fazul retorted; “I can buy my son anything I want!” The wife replied; “And who told you he is your son?” This led to big argument as is of course expected.
• Fazul decided to secretly do a DNA test to confirm whether indeed he was the biological father of the said boy. As fate would have it, the results turned out negative.

A couple of years ago I worked with a gentleman known as Fazul.

Fazul was about forty years old and was of Somali descent. He was a very sharp dresser, always in a designer blue or grey suit with a matching tie and brown designer shoes. He was what you would call a globe -trotting wheeler-dealer – pushing this or that deal with government agents or large corporates.

He always talked in terms of tens of thousands of dollars. He claimed to have lived in the US for a long time and in fact his wife and four sons were living those sides. His English was of course laced with a rich Somali accent but he would occasionally twang (in Kenya we say tweng) a word or two in an American accent maybe just to drive the point home.

One morning Fazul came to our office and by the look of things all was not well. The usually lively guy was looking dejected. His normal light complexion seemed a shade darker and he appeared to have grown a few inches shorter. He sat on the visitor’s seat elbows on the desk and hands supporting both cheeks. Those present asked him what the problem was upon which he broke down with sobs and before long he was wailing uncontrollably.  When he finally calmed down he was able to narrate what had transpired.

During his last visit to the US he had had an argument with his wife about a toy he that had bought his four year old last born son. The mother claimed that he was spoiling the boy since in her opinion the toy was too expensive. Fazul retorted; “I can buy my son anything I want!” The wife replied; “And who told you he is your son?” This led to big argument as is of course expected.

Fazul decided to secretly do a DNA test to confirm whether indeed he was the biological father of the said boy. As fate would have it, the results turned out negative. He was not the biological father. In his wisdom, he decided to do the same for the other three boys before confronting his wife. So on this fateful morning, he had just received the devastating news that the results had all turned out negative. He was not the biological father of all his four sons.

So, what is this DNA? My medic brother attempted to explain to me about DNA but it became too complicated for me. Let us therefore try to simplify it for our own sake. Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is the molecule that carries genetic information for development and functioning of an organism. The genetic information inside the cells of the body helps make people who they are. It is more like instructions for how to make the body, something similar to a blue print (plan) for building a house.

DNA is made up of two linked strands that wind around each other to resemble a twisted ladder. This shape is called a double helix. A person gets half the DNA from the mother and the other half from the father. Scientists tell us that we share roughly 90% of our DNA with mice, cattle and elephants. You may also have heard that the DNA of humans is 98 – 99% identical to that of chimpanzees.

DNA testing entails testing the biological mother to ascertain which half of the DNA she contributed to the child and the remaining DNA is compared to the alleged father’s DNA. DNA Paternity testing is done to confirm the child’s biological father. A sample is taken from a cheek swab of the alleged father and the DNA compared to that of the child in question to determine if he is the biological father (non-birthing parent) of the child. However, a paternity test can be performed using only the DNA samples from the alleged father and the child. In Kenya, a mother’s DNA analysis or consent is not mandatory unless it is required by a court of law.

Another important use of DNA is to help identify the remains of a victim in a disaster or accident situation (currently done by one Dr. Johansen Oduor – Chief Government Pathologist). DNA from remains collected from the disaster or accident site must be matched to DNA known to be from the victim or the victim’s relatives.

Finally to my fellow men – do not be tempted to go for DNA to confirm whether you are the biological father of your children. It might just confirm that you are not. “Mambo ya DNA achia Dr. Johansen Oduor”.

Remember: Some TRUTHS are better left UNKNOWN.

David Ndirangu BSc. International Business Administration (USIU- A) CPA (K). Business Management Consultant and Author   of the book; This is DAVE. Email ndirangudavid2023@gmail.com

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