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 does a gene know what to do and how?      Phyllis Frosst, Ph.D.: I currently investigate genetic discrimination, direct to consumer marketing of genetic tests and pharmacogenomics. The answer is regulation. Regulation, regulation, regulation. genes are controlled by a combination of genetic elements (some near and some far from the gene itself) and by proteins that bind these elements. Through these mechanisms, genes are turned on and off and regulated up and down. Belle HS in MO (11th grade student)

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