a room temperature stable restriction enzyme in a glassified carbohydrate stabilizer is disclosed . a restriction enzyme reaction buffer containing mg + 2 is dispersed in the stabilizer . one cleaves dna merely by adding water and dna to the composition . the composition can reduce glycerol - caused star activity by avoiding the need for glycerol . the composition also reduces star activity caused by high concentrations of enzymes . another method is provided of comparing cleaved dna samples in connection with forensic and paternity testing applications .