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 DNA be changed later in life?      Joan Ehrhardt, M.S.: I coordinate birth defects tracking, prevention and referral education and activities for state and local programs, health providers and the general public. There is no simple way to select certain DNA and make select changes. Some natural change in the DNA of our body's cells happens throughout our lives. Some of these changes could be harmful to us - for example, causing cancer. Some may be neutral and have little effect. Brownsville Area High School in PA (9th grade student)

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