[A study of DNA fingerprinting in China]

A recombinant DNA insert which could be hybridized with variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) sequence probe was obtained from the screening of human genomic DNA library and it was cloned into plasmid for using as a probe designated as ph 296. Highly individual specific DNA fingerprints was produced by hybridizing radioactive labelled ph 296 with restriction endonuclease Hinf I digested genomic DNA of Chinese individuals of Han origin. The number of DNA fragments greater than or equal to 4 kb per individual was 13.6 +/- 3.0; the frequency of shared DNA fragments in unrelated random-paired individuals was 0.25; and the probability that all fragments were detected in both random-paired individuals was 2.0 x 10(-9). ph 296 is an locus-specific probe. The application of DNA fingerprinting is discussed.