Researchers say that families can now hang on to their departed loved one's DNA through a new profile preservation service offered by a US genetic testing company. The service is being offered by a New Jersey-based firm called Orchid Cellmark . Orchid says the DNA information would be useful for medical, legal and genealogy issues as well as generation of reports. An individual's DNA can provide a wide range of information such as protection against future estate or lineage issues, tracing family genealogy and identifying ancestry.
However some are of the opinion that such information is very rarely required. Vandenbergh, who operates three funeral homes in the suburbs of Detroit, said only one family had in the past two years asked to have a genetic screening of a loved one. And that was to check future generations for an illness. He also says that although the demand is not great at present he feels that in the future, it will probably be very commonplace.At present the DNA preservation service is being offered by Orchid at a one-time cost of $250 and will be offered at funeral homes along with other routine burial or cremation preparations says a company spokesperson.
