2010 National DNA Day Online Chatroom Transcript

This is just one question from an archive of the National DNA Day Moderated Chat held in April 2010. 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 defects in DNA?      Jeff Schloss, Ph.D.: Jeff Schloss is a program director in the extramural division of NHGRI. Developing technology for sequencing complete human genomes for $1000 or less is the centerpiece of his technology development programs, and he also leads the Centers of Excellence in Genomic Science program. Jeffs formal science training is in cell and molecular biology. DNA can be damaged by exposure to several kinds of chemicals or intense light. I think the latter is most likely to happen in experiments in the lab rather than in our bodies. But chemicals in the environment or in foods we eat can get into the bloodstream and be distributed to our tissues. Sometimes you read about chemicals that are carcinogens; these may act by damaging DNA. Flint Northern High School in GA (9th grade student)

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