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 do viruses evolve or mutate?
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Angela Filose, M.S.:
Angela Filose, M.S. has entered the chatroom. Take a look at her bio: I work as a genetic counselor with prenatal, pediatric and hereditary cancer patients. I help evaluate patients for genetic conditions in themselves or their babies, and help guide them through information.
All living things (and the question of whether a virus is truly "alive" is another question entirely!) evolve over time, or they die out. At the heart of evolution is genetic mutation, which can allow that particular lifeform to potentially adapt to a situation better than others, and therefore have some sort of advantage (whether it's surviving longer, reproducing more efficiently, etc). Viruses have short lifespans, and also generally have very high rates of mutation within their genetic material. Therefore they can respond very quickly to evolutionary pressures and adapt to new situations. This is one reason why it's so difficult to treat or prevent certain viruses that infect humans, like the flu. Each year we need new flu shots, as the flu from last year has already mutated (and evolved!) into a new strain. |
| Roosevelt High School in WA (12th grade student) |
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