• nednobbins@lemmy.zip
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    3 days ago

    Does this still happen?

    You can get DNA tests for under $100 these days. A commander could test everyone on a ship for a few grand. If the Navy has people’s DNA on file, it would be even easier.

        • lurker_supreme [he/him]@hexbear.net
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          3 days ago

          theres a trillion bacteria in there, how would you separate the human dna from the bacteria dna

          e: it turns out you can get dna from poop, at least from what I saw from googling. crazy stuff

          • nednobbins@lemmy.zip
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            2 days ago

            I think there are at least two basic techniques. You can isolate the human DNA and that will generally be isolated to a single person (ignoring amorous encounters). Or you could profile the entire gut biom.

    • MeowZedong@lemmygrad.ml
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      3 days ago

      If this is a carrier, you are looking at thousands of DNA tests and probably closer to $40,000 dropped to maybe find a match.

      • nednobbins@lemmy.zip
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        2 days ago

        If it’s a carrier it may cost closer to half a million. But that’s a drop in the bucket compared to the insane operating expenses of a carrier.

        It’s also worth it to catch someone who’s risking the health of an entire carrier.