Despite its numerous benefits, PCR has some limitations:
Contamination: PCR is highly sensitive to contamination, which can lead to false results. Rigorous controls and protocols are necessary to mitigate this risk. Quantification: While PCR can detect the presence of specific DNA sequences, quantifying the exact amount of DNA can be challenging without additional techniques such as quantitative PCR (qPCR). Complexity: The interpretation of PCR results requires expertise, particularly when dealing with complex genetic alterations or environmental samples.
