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.

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what causes a birth mark?      Janice Berliner, M.S., C.G.C.: I am a cancer genetic counselor, performing genetic risk assessment and counseling for cancer patients and those at risk for cancer. there are probably many answers to this, but for the common "strawberry" type birth marks, which are also called hemangiomas, I believe they are caused by broken blood vessels. This occurs, I think, during the birthing process, and they are supposed to fade and eventually disappear. My daughter has one on her neck! Alexa Jessie, Clara,Lisa:D in CA (10th grade student)

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