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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Can inherited diseases be contagious?      Kimberly Barr, M.S., C.G.C.: I am a board certified genetic counselor with a special interest in developing genetic education materials for patients and healthcare providers. No. Inherited diseases are NOT contagious. Inherited diseases are caused by a difference in a person's genetics instructions. It isn't possible to have someone's genetic instructions pass to someone else by any form of contact. McClesky Middle School in GA (7th grade student)

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