The world leader in serving science, Thermo Fisher Scientific, has offered to donate $1 million worth of rapid DNA analyzers and related technology to support efforts to reunite children and parents separated at the U.S.-Mexico border. The offer came following widespread calls for accredited technology solutions.
The federal administration's extreme "zero tolerance" immigration policy, which was officially announced on May 7, led to thousands of immigrant children being separated from their parents while attempting to cross into the U.S. The Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) expedited DNA testing first week of July to meet court ordered deadlines to reunite nearly 3,000 migrant children with their families.
An established method of identification for more than 20 years in the U.S., the DNA fingerprint is the gold standard for paternity testing. According to Thermo Fisher Scientific, its breakthrough technology can go from sample to result in 90 minutes, ensuring fast, easy and accurate DNA matching. The company's RapidHIT system, which can be set up at locations within a day, provides a DNA fingerprint solely for identification purposes. It offers easy sampling, with self-contained collection kits requiring only a swab of the inside cheek. Results are forwarded directly and only to an authorized party and samples destroyed after processing to prevent future testing.
In a company press release, Marc N. Casper, president and CEO of Thermo Fisher Scientific, said, "Thermo Fisher's Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer, and this is another great example of how we can provide technology to address a societal challenge. We're proud to offer our rapid DNA testing instruments to help reunite children with their families, here and all over the world."