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.

---

261

What comes of a mutation in DNA or genes?      Toni Pollin, M.S., Ph.D.: I do research on the genetics of complex traits, particularly type 2 diabetes and lipid variation. I also co-direct a Ph.D. and master's training program in human genetics. In humans, much of our DNA does not encode or regulate genes, so most mutations do not have a noticeable effect on a person's health or appearance. However, if a mutation occurs in a gene and changes the structure of a protein or prevents a protein from being made, this can prevent the body from functioning properly and cause disease or a change in appearance. Palms Middle School in CA (7th grade student)

---

< View ALL questions and answers from 2011

Or, search the 2011 transcript by keyword:
(short, single keywords work best at first)