Taking more than 1,000 DNA samples to find martyrs' relatives

(Dan Tri) - The Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Quang Ngai province is coordinating with relevant agencies to collect biological samples from more than 1,000 remains of unidentified martyrs.

On December 6, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Quang Ngai province said that it is coordinating with relevant agencies to collect biological samples of the remains of unidentified martyrs. This is to determine the DNA of each remains. This is the basis for finding relatives of the martyrs.

The collection of biological samples encountered many difficulties because the remains had been buried for a long time. Many graves could not be sampled for biological samples that met the standards. However, thanks to the efforts of the relevant units, the results were very positive.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Lan, Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Quang Ngai province (left cover), inspects the collection of biological samples from the graves of unidentified martyrs (Photo: Quoc Trieu).

Through the excavation of 1,096 martyrs' graves, there is no information showing that 427 graves still have qualified biological samples. These biological samples will be tested for DNA, helping to determine the identities, as well as the relatives of the martyrs.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Lan, Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Quang Ngai province, in 2024, Quang Ngai province will carry out the collection of samples of unidentified martyrs' remains buried at the martyrs' cemeteries in Nghia Thang commune (Tu Nghia district), Hanh Phuoc (Nghia Hanh district), Duc Phu commune (Mo Duc district), Tinh Minh commune (Son Tinh district) and Pho Hoa commune (Duc Pho town).

"The sampling and DNA testing are being carried out carefully and are expected to be completed in 2024. We are determined to do this well to show our gratitude to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Fatherland but whose information has not yet been determined," said Ms. Lan.

According to Ms. Lan, these samples will be DNA tested and stored at the DNA Bank for Unidentified Martyrs and Martyrs’ Relatives. This is the basis for searching and comparing DNA samples to determine the identities and relatives of martyrs in unidentified graves.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/an-sinh/lay-hon-1000-mau-adn-tim-than-nhan-liet-sy-20241206155039783.htm