DNA decays over time. A Harvard trained geneticist had this to say about DNA decay:
“In the lab, even if we stored DNA in a −20° C manual defrost (i.e., non-frost-free) freezer, we would discard DNA samples that were over a year old. Beyond a year, the DNA samples gave unreliable and unpredictable results.”
How is this problem addressed in Paleogenetics? How do we know that ancient DNA results are accurate?
“In the lab, even if we stored DNA in a −20° C manual defrost (i.e., non-frost-free) freezer, we would discard DNA samples that were over a year old. Beyond a year, the DNA samples gave unreliable and unpredictable results.”
How is this problem addressed in Paleogenetics? How do we know that ancient DNA results are accurate?