2010 National DNA Day Online Chatroom Transcript
This is just one question from an archive of the National DNA Day Moderated Chat held in April 2010. 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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If people have web feet, would this be
genetic?
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Emily Edelman, M.S., C.G.C.:
I am a genetic counselor who coordinates multiple projects at a non-profit organization dedicated to providing education in genetics to healthcare providers. I currently work with other genetic counselors, scientists, physicians, nurses, physician assistants, bioethicists, patient advocates, and other health professionals. I also have experience in providing genetic counseling to individuals with a family history of cancer, and other rare and common conditions.
Webbed feet, or syndactyly, can be a genetic condition, but it also can occur due to non-genetic causes. Sometimes syndactyly is seen in combination with other physical or cognitive features as part of an inherited syndrome. Other times syndactyly is an isolated clinical finding, but we see that it can cluster in a family, suggesting that there are some genetic factors increasing the chance of syndactyly in that family. Finally, syndactyly can be a non-genetic occurrence, due to a developmental disruption, chemical imbalance, or other effect in the early period of fetal development.
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| Stevenson Middle School in AL (7th grade student) |
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