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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Why do people from other cultures and countries have different appearances?
     Janette Lawrence: I am a genetic counselor at Massachusetts General Hospital's Cancer Center. My job is to identify families who are at risk for having a cancer predisposition gene syndrome and offer them counseling regarding their decision to have genetic testing. If families are found to have a gene mutation predisposing them to cancer(s), I help them cope with the diagnosis, set up appointments for their cancer screening, and help identify other family members who may be at risk. Great question! Human differences are due to variations in DNA. If a particular group all had dark hair and dark skin, and they did not migrate or marry with other cultures very much, then they maintain their similar appearance in that particular country/culture-- which would be different from another country/culture where everyone was blonde and blue-eyed.
Peru High School in IN (9th grade student)

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