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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How bad is the DNA damage required for apoptosis?      Shawn Burgess, Ph.D.: I currently study developmental processes and their relation to human genetic disease. It depends on the nature of the damage (breaks, point mutations, nicks). Typically the DNA repair machinery is pretty efficient (thankfully) so it requires substantial damage to initiate the apoptosis response. Surya Bangsa Elementary in Indonesia (8th grade student)

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