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.

359
Is it possible that a one-fourth black person and a white person can have a baby with white skin.
     Barry H. Thompson, M.D., M.S.: As Medical Director at AMCG, I am responsible for activities such as professional practices, clinical guidelines, and ethical aspects of clinical genetics. What is "white" or "black" skin in terms of science? Skin color is highly variable, even among brothers and sisters, isn't it? Skin color is the result of many genes, interacting with one another; therefore it's impossible to forecast absolutely skin color in the case about which you inquire. It is possible that the baby's skin would be lighter than the skin of the "black" parent and darker than the skin of the "white" parent.
Yukon High School in OK (12th grade student)

< View ALL questions and answers from 2009



(short, single keywords work best at first)