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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What would trigger a change in your DNA sequence, and could that happen at any age?
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Alan Guttmacher, M.D.:
I serve as the Acting Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development where I oversee the institutes efforts to conduct and support research on the health of children, adults, families, and populations. My areas of expertise include pediatrics, medical genetics, and the development of new approaches for translating the findings of the Human Genome Project into better ways of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease.
We know many triggers of changes in the DNA sequence, but not all. Among the known triggers are radiation, sun exposure, and certain chemicals. Changes in one's DNA can, and do, occur at any age. However, many of these changes have no effect on one's health or well-being. However, as one gets older that changes can gradually accumulate in a specific cell or organ and create problems. |
| Flint Northern High School in MI (10th grade student) |
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