2012 National DNA Day Online Chatroom Transcript

This is just one question from an archive of the National DNA Day Moderated Chat held in April 2012. The NHGRI Director and many genomics experts from across NHGRI took questions from students, teachers and the general public on topics ranging from basic genomic research, to the genetic basis of disease, to ethical questions about genetic privacy.

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Have you ever been uncomfortable doing a certain experiment?      David Bodine, Ph.D.: I am the Chief & Senior Investigator of NHGRI's Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch and Head of the Hematopoiesis Section. I investigate the genetics of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells (PHSCs) to improve the effectiveness of bone marrow transplantation and to find better ways to use these unique cells for gene replacement therapy. I also study diseases that interfere with the ability of the stem cells to differentiate into red blood cells. Yes, I think we all have had those moments. For me it was working with animals. While I have raised animals for food, I really like them, and I had a moment when I had to decide if I wanted to do experiments that might harm an animal. I discovered that I was MORE CURIOUS about the answers coming from the experiments, than I was uncomfortable doing them. But making sure that I learn the most from the fewest number of animals is always prominent in my mind. I do not think I could do experiments on humans, but I DO think that these can be VERY important experiments to do. Remmy in NE ()

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