Abstract: A method for quantifying apoptosis in absolute terms in a cellular sample by real-time ligation-mediated PCR, the method comprising: (a) obtaining first control genomic nucleic acid which is apoptotic nucleic acid from a cellular sample that is substantially 100% apoptotic; (b) obtaining test genomic nucleic acid derived from a test cellular sample; (c) subjecting a plurality of different known concentrations of first control genomic nucleic acid to real-time apoptosis-specific multi-product PCR in the presence of a nucleic acid-binding fluorophore or other detectable tag to obtain a threshold cycle number (Ct) or other equivalent value at different nucleic acid concentrations and establishing a linear numerical relationship between Ct or equivalent value and apoptotic nucleic acid concentration; (d) subjecting test nucleic acid to real-time apoptosis-specific multi-product PCR in the presence of a nucleic acid-binding fluorophore or other detectable tag to obtain a Ct or other equivalent value; and (e) estab