2009 National DNA Day Online Chatroom Transcript
This is just one question from an archive of the National DNA Day Moderated Chat held in April 2009. 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.
| 104 |
When you are studying genetic traits, is there ever a clear indication of differences expected in those traits determined by nature in contrast to those by nurture?
| |
Morgan Butrick, B.A., Sc.M.:
I am training to be a genetic counselor. My time is spent seeing genetic counseling patients in clinic, doing social and behavioral research, and attending classes related to genetics, ethics, policy, research, and public health.
Although there are a few exceptions (e.g., blood type, eye color) that are determined exclusively by genes, almost all human traits are influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The same is true of most human diseases; there are a few (e.g., cystic fibrosis, Huntington disease) that are Mendelian disorders caused by a single gene, but most common diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are influenced by a combination of genes and environment. Behavioral traits like features of people's personalities and intelligence are always influenced by both genes and environment. |
| St. Ignatius in IL (student) |
|
