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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If a parent is mentally challenged and has sex. Is it possible for the son to be deformed?
     Kimberly Barr, M.S.: My work involves content development and mangement for our Regional Genetics Web site and development of education materials for Kaiser members and providers. Another aspect to my job includes outreach to the community, which has included lectures to medical students. It depends on the reason for the parent's mental challenge. There are many different reasons for mental disabilities. Not all of these reasons are genetic or hereditary. Even when there is a genetic cause for the disability, the risk for the child to have related problems depends on the specific condition.
East Haven High School in CT (10th grade student)

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