2011 National DNA Day Online Chatroom Transcript

This is just one question from an archive of the National DNA Day Moderated Chat held in April 2011. 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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How do we know if mutation is happening in our DNA?      Anne Madeo, M.S.: I have an M.S.in Human Genetics from the University of Michigan and currently working at the NIH as a genetic counselor since 2000. ýShe is currently the Associate Director of the Johns Hopkins University/NHGRI Genetic Counseling Training Program. We don't know if a mutation is happening. What we do know is that we all have mutations because the fidelity (accuracy) of the DNA replication machinery isn't perfect. Palms Middle School in CA (7th grade student)

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