Explorit to present lecture on DNA work in Africa

How does forensic science translate across language, cultural and technological barriers? In the United States, DNA testing at crime scenes and for paternity has become commonplace. But in developing countries, even the basics are a foreign concept.

On Wednesday (April 1), Dr. Ruth Ballard, professor of biology at California State University, Sacramento, will present her work on establishing a DNA database and testing program in Tanzania. The lecture will take place at the Davis Musical Theatre Company, 607 Pena in East Davis, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. It is the third and final lecture in Explorit’s 2008-2009 Cutting Edge of Science Lecture Series.

In 2007, Ballard finished the project of surveying and collecting DNA samples from across the country, for the purpose of establishing the database. At this point, the scientists there are able to do paternity tests and DNA-typing, but they still lack the trained personnel to collect DNA from crime scenes. “I’ve focused my efforts mostly on paternity testing, as that is the greater need.”

She hopes that the testing program will benefit the people of Tanzania, especially women that will now be able to track the fathers of their children: as more men move into the cities, many women and children are being abandoned in the rural villages without support by the fathers. An established paternity testing program will allow these women to prove paternity and require support.

“We’re hoping to get to a $40 paternity test, but need more funding to do so,” Ballard says. “Otherwise, the tests are financially impossible for the rural women that need them.”

One cultural barrier that needed to be bridged was that of “informed consent.” Without prior knowledge of DNA or forensic science, and having to work with populations that may or may not have written language, Ballard had to carefully explain what the samples she wanted were to be used for, and how they could benefit the community. “In places without written language, we had to videotape all their consents, and designed them very carefully so that they were culturally appropriate,” Ballard explains.

At the lecture Wednesday, Dr. Ballard will share more information on the program, the applications of DNA-typing, and some hair-raising stories of her travels, such as living on a compound with a polygamous family, bribery and animal adventures.
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Explorit's Summer Science Camp ’09 emphasizes active learning through age-appropriate experiments, hands-on activities and problem-solving. Plus they’re loads of fun!

Camp Guides will be distributed in Davis public schools in the coming week. Copies are also available at Explorit’s main site, 2801 Second St., and at the public library. A PDF is available for download at www.explorit.org.

Quick facts:
• Camps are week-long and are mornings-only, starting at 8:30 a.m. An extended day option is available until 5 p.m.
• Sessions are offered for three age groups: Preschool-Kindergarten (minimum age 4), Grades 1-2 and Grades 3-5.
• Prices range from $52 for three-day-a-week Preschool-Kindergarden camp to $197 a week for older kids who are also enrolled in Extended Day. Those are member prices; nonmembers pay about 15 percent more.
• Registration deadline for our random-placement lottery is April 17.

More information is available by calling (530) 756-0191 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
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Wells Fargo Bank has signed on as a sponsor of Explorit’s traveling programs for schools and community groups in 18 counties.  The $10,000 gift will help support programs through June 2010, according to Lou Ziskind, executive director.

Since 1986, the bank has contributed a total of $103,000 for hands-on science education. Currently, Pedar Bruce, a Wells Fargo marketing executive, volunteers on Explorit’s Board of Trustees.

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Explorit Science Center has two exhibitions running: “Body Blueprints” and “Move It! Science in Actio.” Admission is $4 general, free for age 3 and under. The museum is open from 2-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Explorit is at 2801 Second Street, Davis. For more information: (530) 756-0191 or www.explorit.org