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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How specific can a person be in choosing genes for their future children?      Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: I developing genetics, health education and community involvement programs and resources, and translate genetic and genomic information for the public. At present, if a couple has a genetic condition in the family it is possible to have a procedure called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to choose an embryo without the genetic condition. However, it is not currently possible to select specific genes for future children, and there are many ethical issues to be considered with this process. East Haven High School in CT (10th grade student)

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