Existence...

You can now exist forever... in a DNA storage vault

Melbourne: After storing DNA samples for thousands of defence personnel, an Aussie company is now planning to do the same for the general public, with more and more people wishing to exist forever.

Under a contract, the company DNA Solutions, started off by taking delivery of samples from more than 70,000 full-time and reserve military personnel. The DNA business is witnessing a boon, as people move to place a small part of themselves into storage for eternity.

Under a voluntary scheme implemented by defence, DNA is collected from a large number of defence personnel by using a technology developed by the Melbourne-based firm. However, these samples will be used only to positively identify dead troops.

Vern Muir, Company chief, said that defence has asked him that they may have to store DNa samples from as many as 20,000-30,000 defence pesonnel. They collect the DNA by taking a drop of blood on a card containing a chemical compound that traps DNA at room temperature. This card can store the sample for at least 100 years. ANI