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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Today is my birthday! I'm 19. How is DNA affected over time? How many good years do I have left?
     Pam Schwartzberg, M.D., Ph.D.: I currently study mouse models of primary immunodeficiencies (genetic diseases that impair the ability of the immune system to fight infections) and how specific disorders affect responses to infectious diseases. If you treat your body well, you are likely to have many long years ahead of you. DNA does change over time. It can acquire mutations that can lead to cancer, so avoiding carcinogens such as cigarette smoke is a very good thing. The ends of your chromosomes, called telomeres, can also shorten over time.
The Children's Home of Reading in PA (12th grade student)

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