2012 National DNA Day Online Chatroom Transcript

This is just one question from an archive of the National DNA Day Moderated Chat held in April 2012. 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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When will we be able to genetically modify our bodies to fight disease?
     Nisha Isaac: I currently provide cancer genetic counseling services to adults. On occasion I also provide adult genetic counseling (Huntington's disease, adult polycystic kideny disease, thrombophilia/hemochromatosis, Klinefelter syndrome etc.). Part of my role involves giving presentations (in person, or via webinars) about topics related to genetics. We probably will not be able to genetically modify our bodies to fight diseases anytime in the near future since this is a very complicated process. Our experiments with targeted genetic modification have not given us the hoped for results to date. What we can do currently is to use targeted medications based on our genetic background to fight diseases such as cancer.
Palms Middle School in CA (7th grade student)

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