DNA fingerprinting using arbitrary primer technology (APT): a tool or a torment.

A recent variation of the PCR has allowed DNA fingerprints to be obtained independently of prior sequence information and with unparalleled ease. Several approaches, conveniently grouped under the general term of arbitrary primer technology (APT), include the popular RAPD, DAF, and AP-PCR methods. A great deal of attention has been focussed on these methods and questions have arisen regarding reproducibility, DNA fingerprint resolution, and even the future of the technology itself. Here we discuss these issues and examine some of the unique properties of DNA amplification using a single short arbitrary primer.