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2007 National DNA Day Online Chatroom TranscriptThe 2007 National DNA Day Moderated Chat was held on Wednesday, April 25th, 2007 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. NHGRI Director Francis Collins and genomics experts from across the institute 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. Give Us Your Feedback on National DNA Day Activities!
Q: Brittany: What are the pros and cons of getting genetic tests? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: Choosing to have or not to have genetic testing is a personal one. For example, a person who has a family history of early onset breast cancer may wish to have genetic testing to learn whether he or she has inherited a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene that greatly increases their risk for developing breast and other cancers so that they can take preventive actions. Another person in the same family may not wish to know if he/she has inherited the gene because of concerns about insurance and employment discrimination. When a person is considering having genetic testing, they can seek genetic counseling with certified genetic counselors, nurses and medical geneticists to learn about all of the reasons to have or not to have a genetic test. Q: Lynn Wilson, Incarnate Word Academy: I am just testing to see if our students will be able to access this. Thank You! A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: Yes! Good morning! We are all here ready to answer your questions! Q: carmen, NY: How are proteins made? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: Proteins are made using the DNA as a template. Basically, messenger RNA or mRNA is made by a molecule known as RNA Polymerase using the DNA template in the nucleus of the cell. Depending on the gene, sometimes the mRNA may have to be modified and certain portions of the message RNA are removed or spliced. The mRNA is then transported outside the nucleus to the cytoplasm where the ribosomes attach to the mRNA. The ribosomes interact with the Transfer RNA or tRNA molecules that carry the amino acids to assemble the proteins by adding the individual amino acids and linking the amino acids each other. Once all the amino acids are added, we have a complete protein. Q: Annie, Cape Elizabeth, ME: What's your favorite DNA joke? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: What did one DNA helix to the other DNA helix?? "Hey, do these genes make me look fat?" Q: Audery: How does a baby get an extra copy of chromosome 21? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: There are several ways a baby can get an extra chromosome number 21. Most commonly, at the time of conception, there are two number 21 chromosomes in either the egg or the sperm. This is a sporadic event. Another way occurs after conception when an error occurs in cell division creating a cell line with an extra chromosome number 21. This is called mosaic trisomy 21. A third way is when one of the parents carries a chromosome rearrangement called a translocation that involves chromosome number 21. Q: Lymiracle Hill, Hogdson Vo-Tech.: How are DNA and RNA related? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: DNA is used as template for the messenger RNA or mRNA which is then used as the template for the proteins. In other words, DNA is transcribed into RNA which is translated into proteins. Q: MEMS Middle per 1: How many possible genes are known? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: As far as we know now, the latest analysis shows about 20,000 genes in the human genome. Q: Savannah P'Poole Lyon Co. Middle School, Kentucky: What are your work surroundings like? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: The work surroundings here definitely depend on the kind of work you do. Some people at the National Human Genome Research Institute work in labs, others work in offices, I've been spending quite a bit of time lately in classrooms. The diversity of opportunities in a field like genetics makes the workplace a great place to be. Q: kelsey martin, kentucky: Do you get to spend time with your family at times, or are you alwasys being called out to work? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: I do get to spend time with my family. Although there are times when things are very busy, I try to balance my work and family time. It is very important to balance both family and work. Q: Thomas Muntaner, St. Ignacious Prep: Do any current gene therapy treatments cure a genetic disorder, or do they only temporarily treat the person? If we are not able to cure a disorder with gene therapy now, are we close to achieving a cure through gene therapy? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: There are currently no gene therapy treatments available clinically that can cure a genetic disorder. There are some gene therapies that are in the research phases, and as more is being learned about the genetic basis of diseases, there is hope that targeted gene therapy will be available in the not to distant future. Q: Mango Bristol: Why is DNA Day on April 25th? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: That's a great question! DNA Day falls every year on April 25 because it marks the anniversary of the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 and the description of the structure of the double helix by Watson and Crick in 1953. Q: kelsey martin, kentucky: Do you get to spend time with your family at times, or are you alwasys being called out to work? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: I do try to balance my work and family time. Although things get busy, I always try to make time for my family and friends. Q: Henry: What's your favorite gene in a cell? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: I can't really say I have a favorite gene. There are so many that are pretty cool like the gene for eye color or the gene for hemoglobin. At this time, there are about 20,000 to choosde from so I can't say there is a shortage of cool ones. Q: Lappi; Clarkstown North High School, New City, NY: Is having twins a genetic trait? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: Yes, having twins can run in families. Having twins can be due to having a trait for multiple ovulation, or a trait for identical twins. Q: MEMS Middle per 1: Are scientists close to cloning a person? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: No. Scientists have successfully cloned a sheep, dog, and cat, but to our knowledge, no effort has been made to clone a human. It would be technically very difficult and is quite improbable that it would happen any time soon.
Q: Henry: What's your favorite gene in a cell? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: I can't say that I have a favorite gene. There are several cool ones like the one for eye color or the one for hemoglobin. There are more than 20,000 to choose which makes the choosing just one cool gene pretty hard. Q: MEMS Middle per 1: How much DNA do we have in our body? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: There are 3 billion base pairs in every cell of our body (except red blood cells and lens cells). If you were to uncoil one strand of DNA from one of your cells, it would stretch 6 feet long! Q: Chase Helschien Marisa Beck: How soon will it be until we can alter the DNA of an unborn child in the womb? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: Altering anyone's DNA has ethical, moral and legal implications, which will have to be addressed first before any clinical application to altering DNA in the womb can take place. Q: : Why are people different colors? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: Because of the variation in our genomes, some of us produce varying amounts of pigment proteins. These proteins are responsible for the various colors of people. Q: Katherine Casabar, from Westview High School: Are there Y-linked traits and/or disorders/diseases in existence? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: One example of a Y-linked disorder is the chromosomal disorder, 47,XYY. Q: akbar Mondal: Is it possible to change a gene if you are full grown man/woman and will it affect that person phenotype? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: There are changes that naturally occur in your DNA throughout your life. Many of these changes won't affect your phenotype, but some certainly will. There is a field of gene therapy that is attempting to determine how to correct genetic 'mistakes' but this field is still very preliminary. Q: Katie and Kelsey: How do you choose whose DNA to use for the human genome? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: Many individuals from upstate New York were selected from a newspaper ad to donate a sample of their DNA to the Human Genome Project. DNA for the Genome project was collected from a pool of all of the samples, so it's actually unknown whose specific DNA was used. Q: Mitch Philadelphia, MS: Can DNA repair itself? If so, how and how long would it take? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: DNA has mechanisms that allow it to repair itself when it breaks and or mistakes occur. Most of these repair mechanisms are happen very quickly. Although these mechanisms are very accurate and quick if the DNA has too many breaks or mistakes, the cell is unable to repair them. This inability to correct the mistakes can result in problems or even cell death. Q: Cassie, Alden: Is suicide genetic? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: Suicide may happen when a person has a mental condition such as manic depression. Mental conditions like manic depressive illness can be inherited in some families. If you have a concern about whether mental illness and suicide are inherited in your family, you can seek further information from a genetic counselor, genetic nurse or medical geneticist. Q: Katie Krueger, St. Ignacious Prep: What field of genetics would you recommend someone to study at this time? Is there a field that is advancing more quickly than others currently? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: The great thing about the field of genetics is how diverse it is. There are opportunities related to molecular biology, computer science, ethics, law, sociology, politics, and many other fields. I would recommend considering the things you are interested in and finding how those interests could be integrated into the field. Q: Jacob and Mark, Sharon PA: Why is Down syndrome more evident in births where the mother is older? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: Babies with Down syndrome are more evident when the mother is older because of an error that occurs during formation of the egg such that it has two number 21 chromosomes. At fertilization, then, there are three number 21 chromosomes present in the baby - two from the mother and one from the father. Q: Tessa Turner, spanish river high.: With DNA testing, can you find out if your infant would have a chance of being obese? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: Currently, DNA testing is not available clinically to determine whether a child has an increased chance of being obese. Q: Amanda Bakouni: Why is DNA so famous? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: DNA is such a famous molecule because it holds the instructions for creating an entire organism. There is an enormous amount of information encoded in a single DNA molecule, and without it, there would be no next generation of offspring, whether it be humans, plants, animals, or even bacteria. Q: Shannon: Who came up with the name DNA? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: The chemical that is called DNA was discovered by Friedrich Miescher, a Swiss biologist, who isolated it from white blood cells in 1869. He called it nuclein, which is why the molecule is called deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. Q: brandi boca raton florida: Do you enjoy what you do? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: Yes, I do! I am an advanced practice nurse in genetics and a board certified genetic counselor. For the past 20 years I have provided clinical genetic counseling and education to patients and families in a rural genetics clinic. For the past two years I have been fortunate to work at the National Human Genome Research Institute as a Health Educator, overseeing projects that translate new genetic information and discoveries to the public. Q: Jay, OHS: With the development of the the haplotype map, how will disease and health in humans be affected? Will this research better enable the discoveries of cures, or why some occur? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: We hope that the haplotype map will enable us to recognize how the variation in different human genomes are related to a human's predispoistions to disorders. Understanding why some people are more susceptible to diseases than others will assist us in better diagnosis and cures.
Q: Serena Yee, St. Ignacious Prep: 4. Because the judicial system often resorts to DNA as concrete evidence, do you believe the public is aware of the potential errors and restrictions on DNA testing? A: Vence Bonham, J.D.: I think the public is just learning the limitations and the power of DNA testing. For many their first knowledge of the role of DNA indentfication was in the criminal justice system. We will all continue to learn about potential errors in DNA Testing. One controversial area is the abiity to profile what a person looks like based upon DNA information. Q: Mike Hunt, From Coconut Creek, FL: Who thought of DNA day? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: National DNA Day began in 2003 as a celebration launched by the National Human Genome Research Institute to mark the completion of the Human Genome Project, and as part of the 50th anniversary of Watson and Crick's description of DNA. It was such an exciting and momentous occasion in science that the genetic research field wanted to create an entire day to celebrate each year. Q: Karalyn: How many genetic disorders can currently be identified in unborn children? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: There are easily 100 genetic disorders that can be identified in unborn children and that number is growing every year as more genetic tests become available. Q: kyle carrilio, florida: Is it possible to genetically alter animals to combine them, for example a human and a horse to make them one new, altered species? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: The answer to your question is no, it's not possible to combine two species that are as unrelated as a human and a horse. However, breeders have created combinations, such as a horse and donkey, to create a mule (though the mule is then not fertile, and therefore does not result in a new species). Q: Matt Spanish River: Do all people have the same amount of genes? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: Yes, all humans have approximately 20,000 genes in each of their cells. Q: Jacob; Crooms Academy; Sanford, Florida: If a fetus has Down syndrome can it be cured before it is born? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: A fetus with Down syndrome has an extra chromosome number 21 in all or most of its body cells. Down syndrome cannot currently be cured before a baby is born. Q: Ms. Bradbury: What does DNA stand for? I seem to have forgotten since college. A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. Q: Sarah Holmes- Liberty MO: What ideas do you have for motivating students to pursue a career in the field of science, especially life sciences? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: There are so many cool things happening in science, especially in genomics. There are several interactive activities being created by many universities and governmental agencies that students can interact with to get an idea of the breadth the careers and opportunities in science. In addition, I think that having people who are in the fields speak to students is always helpful. During DNA Day, we send several speakers to a variety of schools that are vibrant and enthusiastic about there work. This helps make it seem real and the careers accessible. I would also suggest having the students check out the LifeWorks database on the Office of Science Education at the National Institutes of Health.
Q: Amanda: if you get a sex change, can it affect your DNA? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: No. If a person has a sex change, external organs and hormonal balances are altered, but not the person's DNA. Q: Rachel Besser and Lauren Chieffo: Do identical twins have identical DNA? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: Yes, identical twins have the exact same DNA as each other. Q: Anthony Abatecola: Do homosexual people have gene that says they will be homosexual? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: No one knows for sure yet.
Q: Jordan, PMWHS: Does DNA control your emotions? If so can they be changed permanently? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: Certainly there are genetic aspects to many diagnosable mental health conditions that may involve people's emotions. Right now, there are no permanent, genetic ways to change emotions. Mental health conditions are frequently treated with pharmaceutical drugs and talk therapy. Q: george (crooms AOIT): What are the best university for studying biology or medical science? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: Honestly, there are numerous excellent institutions for studying biology. It's important to find the right institution for you, whether it be large or small, public or private. You might want to talk to a guidance counselor to discuss different options that are right for you. Q: RYAN C., QUEENSBURY, NEW YORK: Do you think that there are many more genetic diseases than we know of right now? If so, are there any processes that you want to work with to get to find this out? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: There are probably more genetic disorders that have yet to be discovered. With the sequencing of the human genome and a better understanding of the genome, we have better tools that can help us discover those disorders. In addition, we are also looking at the sequences of other organisms to help us understand the human genome. Q: Ben Tolkin, Newton MA: How do sickle cells and altered hemoglobin provide protection against malaria? Why malaria and not other viruses? Keep up the good work! A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: It has to do with how malaria is passed on. The mosquito that infects individuals with Malaria is not very effective in passing on the disease when the cells are in the shape of a "half-moon" (sickle). Q: swipper.: im 100% african american, but for some odd reason, my skin is so light. can you tell me why? please. A: Vence Bonham, J.D.: That is a great question. African American is a social group. Race is a social construct that is a blurry correlation with genetic variation in populations. People who self identify as African American can have a very diverse ancestral background. There is signficant diversity in the ancestral background of people who self identify as African American. Q: Bobby Losoya, St. Ignacious Prep: If only 2% of the genome is coding DNA, what purpose do you think the majority of the "junk DNA" in our bodies have? A: Anthony Antonellis, Ph.D.: You are correct that about 2% of our genome encodes proteins, which have direct roles in how cells and tissues function. However, another important function of the genome is in turning these coding genes on and off, and in organizing the genome in cells. We currently believe that some, if not most, of the remaining DNA is involved in these processes. To address this, we are comparing our genome to the genomes of other animals (for example mouse and dog) to identify non-coding regions that are similar. We think that these will be very important for genome function! Q: tyler hf: Why is there a DNA Day? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: DNA day is the annual celebration of the completion of the Human Genome Project, and of the description of the structure of DNA by Watson and Crick. Q: Samantha, Sam, Spanish River Community High School, FL: Can doctors tell what genes I have before I am born? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: There are some genetic tests that can be done during pregnancy for specific genetic conditions such as cystic fibrosis. But there is currently not a genetic test that can identify all of a person's genes before they are born. Q: Daniel from Westview High School: Up to how long after someone dies can a DNA sample be taken from their body? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: DNA is chemical and as long as it is still intact and not degraded, it can be isolated. For example, the DNA from the wolly mammoth was 18,000 years old and was isolated. Q: MEMS Middle per 1: How does DNA affect someone's looks? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: The DNA you inherit from your parents includes all of the information for eye color, hair color, and other physical traits. It explains why you look a little like your mom, and a little like your dad, but not exactly like either one of them. Q: Mike Roch, from boca Raton FL: How many genetic disorders are there in total? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: We are finding more and more that every disease has a genetic component, so it is not possible to know the total number at present. Q: Heather, Alden: What is DNA profiling and banking? should i consider it and when? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: There are many levels at which your DNA can be tested. A "whole genome sequence" would identify all of the genes you have, but we don't know the function of most of these genes. Genetic banking usually refers to a collection of blood specimens for research. DNA profiling and banking aren't yet available to the public. At this point in your life, unless you have a specific health condition where knowing more about your genetics might help with diagnosis or treatment, genetic testing should be unnecessary. Q: Shi-thead Mohammed, Coconut Creek: Is D.N.A. day a national holiday? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: No, we are all still hard at work for this year's DNA day. Though it may not be an official holiday, we are excited to see DNA day recognized by students and teachers across the nation. Q: Shivani, Uni of Leicester, UK: In general, what are your views on how society as a whole has reacted to the human genome project? A: Vence Bonham, J.D.: I think it is still early to tell. As you know the Human Genome Project was completed in 2003. We are only beginning to understand the power of the information generated from the project to improve health and how it will impact society. Q: Gene, CA: Wasn't it Phoebus Levine in 1929 who came up with the name DNA. A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: Phoebus Levine was a physician and biochemist at Rockefeller University who figured out the components that make up DNA, including the four types of bases -- adenine, guanine, thymine and cytosine -- as well the sugar deoxyribose and a phosphate group in its helical backbone. Q: Someone In Kansas: What is an X chromosome? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: The X chromosome is one of the two sex chromosomes in humans. Females have two X chromosomes and males have one X and one Y chromosome. The X chromosome carries about 1000 genes and some of these are related to various disorders( known as X-linked disorders). Q: Dominick Steele: What does dystonia do? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: Dystonia is a condition that affects a person's movements and motor skills. In some families, dystonia can happen as part of a hereditary trait, i.e. something that is passed on from generation to generation. Q: Lauren from Londizzle: Has anyone found any correlation between genetics and intelligence? A: Anthony Antonellis, Ph.D.: This is a very good, but difficult, question. There have been studies performed that try to correlate genetic background and intelligence. However, these studies should be interpreted very carefully. Intelligence is most likely to be a complex trait, which may involve many different genetic and environmental factors. In practical terms, this means that these studies are very difficult. As our ability to study complex traits improves, such studies may be more useful and informative. Q: Max HF: How long until geneticists can decode the human genome. A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: We successfully decoded the human genome in 2003, both ahead of schedule and under budget! Q: Dominic, Maryland: Do genetic tests give false reassurance? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: Some genetic tests may give false reassurance. For example, if a person has a strong family history of early onset colon cancer and learns that there is an inherited gene called HNPCC that is being inherited in the family, he or she may choose to have testing. If he/she tests negative for the HNPCC gene, that person hmay believe that they are no longer at risk for colon cancer, when in fact, they have the average person's risk, so can still get colon cancer, though the risk is greatly reduced. Q: Rachel Besser and Lauren Chieffo: Do you think it is ethical to use family's genetic information in crime cases? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: That's a great question! I don't know. It would really depend how the investigators accessed the family's genetic information. For instance, if they had a court order/warrant for the sample, you would hope there was adequate judicial review and probable cause. However, it would get even tricker if a family member's DNA were in a criminal data bank, or worse, accessed without their knowledge.
Q: imani,Lindsay,Kishell: Does bone marrow have DNA? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: Yes, bone marrow does have DNA. All cells of the body, except red blood cells, have DNA. Q: ryan anderson: is it possable to have bad genes? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: I'm not sure what you mean by "bad genes." There are genetic alterations that can cause disease. I doubt that folks with a serious genetic disease think of these alterations as "good." Q: Phillip, Florida: How close are you to a cure for cancer? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: There is a lot of research going on to look at how we can better treat cancer and hopefully one day cure cancer. There are many different types of cancer and we are better at treating some types of cancer versus others. For example, we are better are at treating cancer in the uterus versus cancer in the pancreas. Q: Sharon, Westview Learning Center: Why does mitosis occur? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: In order for your body to grow, you have to increase the number of cells in your body which requires that your cells to go through mitosis. In addition, you have to replace the cells that are constantly dying, this also requires that mitosis occur. Q: Jenn, Pasadena, MD: DNA Day's Finally Here!!! DNA Day! cheer, cheer, cheer! DNA day fun, fun, fun! DNA day is for everyone!!! A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: Thanks Jenn! We are very excited to be here too! DNA day is a great day every April 25th! Q: Spencer Westview High: How long does it take to get the DNA from a crime scene analyzed? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: Ideally, DNA should be processed quickly but the amount of time to analayze the DNA can be dependent upon the individual labs and police departments that collect the samples and the type of analysis. Q: V-SHAL, Sanford, FL: What's your favorite gene? A: Anthony Antonellis, Ph.D.: Funny question! Personally, my favorite gene makes a protein called glycyl-tRNA synthetase. This protein is responsible for placing an amino acid (glycine) onto a transfer RNA (tRNA). This step is the first, essential step of protein synthesis (the process by which mRNA is translated into protein). The reason why this gene is so interesting, is that we have identified mutations in it that cause peripheral neuropathy - a disease where patients get severe weakness in their hands and feet. Why do mutations in such a universally important gene cause a very specific disease??? This question is very interesting to us and is the central focus of my current research. Q: Kathryn: What does DNA have to do with Fragile X syndrome? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: Fragile X is a condition caused by changes in the DNA in the X chromosome. Our DNA is organized in structures called chromosomes. We 23 pairs of chromosomes - the first 22 are called autosomes and are responsible for many different traits, the last pair determines our gender and some other characteristics. Individuals with Fragile X have changes in a specific site in their X chromosome that leads them to have features of the condition, such as learning difficulties. Q: Kelly from St Paul's School for Girls: Is there a national DNA musuem? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: No, not specifically for DNA, but there are plenty of science museums that have great exhibits around DNA. For example, the National Library of Medicine at the NIH has a fantastic exhibit on forensics. Q: RICH EHLMERICHS: DOES DNA HAVE TO DO WITH AMERICAN IDOL? WHO WILL WIN AMERICAN IDOL? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: Well, vocal talent may have a genetic component. There's also the fact that many folks who audition are tone deaf, which could also be genetic. I doubt there's a direct link between DNA and predicting who will win. If I had to make a prediction, I'd say it's going to be a toss up between Jordan and Blake primarily because they are the most marketable. I personally love Melinda. Q: SHAWDAYYY, San Diego: Can alleles be changed? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: Our DNA is being inundated with radiation from the sun all the time which can change our DNA. In addition, viruses can also insert their genetic material into our DNA and exist there for years causing changes in our DNA. In the future, we hope that gene therapy or the ability to change specific genes to correct mutations will be a utilized therapy. Q: Pepe, Guadalajara: Flavia, are you Mexican like me? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: No, I'm not Mexican. I'm from Brazil. Like in Mexico, people in Brazil descend from many different ethnic groups -- caucasians from Western Europe, blacks from Africa, native populations. This makes our countries very interesting and diverse! This is one of the reasons I became interested in genetics, and chose genetic counseling as my profession.
Q: amanda long, florida: if im adopted, how do i find out information about my birth parents' dna? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: There aren't DNA banks of birth parents. I think the best option would to check out some of the websites that let you enter your birthday, etc. and will help you match up to your birth parents in order to learn more about your medical history. Family history is the best way to understand your personal genetic risk for disease. Q: jepeto mendez: When was NHGRI established? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: The NHGRI began in 1989 as a center (the National Center for Human Genome Research) at the NIH, and was responsible for leading the NIH's role in the Human Genome Project. It then was renamed to be the National Human Genome Research Institute in 1997. Q: Rob K. Grand Island: What is the best sample to take from a dead body for DNA testing? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: Skin, hair, saliva, blood. Most of these cells contain DNA. Q: tevin ali boca raton florida: How many base pairs are there in the DNA code within each cell? A: Anthony Antonellis, Ph.D.: Each cell in our body contains about 3 billion base pairs of DNA! Furthermore, every time a cell divides (and gives rise to two 'daughter' cells) this large amount of DNA is copied (or replicated) so that each daughter cell carries a complete copy. While only about 2-3% of this DNA encodes proteins, much of the remaining DNA is presumed to be important. A major focus of genomic research is to determine the function of the 98% of DNA that does not code for proteins. Q: Lucinda Yu Carver High School Houston, Texas: Does a particular ethnic race or group at a higher risk for developing diabetes? A: Kate Reed, M.P.H., Sc.M.: Adult onset diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, is a complex disease caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Environmental risk factors include obesity, which can be affected by diet. Individuals in certain ethnic groups may be more likely to be exposed to certain environmental risk factors based on shared cultural values and traditions, which may increase their risk through their diet not because of their genetic make up. Researchers are constantly studying diabetes to identify other enviromental and potential genetic risk factors. Q: D. Lawrence, New York: Why don't red blood cells contain DNA? How is the protein hemoglobin produced if it cannot be transcribed from the cell's DNA? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: Red blood cells do not have a nucleus, so they do not have DNA. Hemoglobin can be made by other cells (like cells in the bone marrow) that have DNA that codes (or instructs) for the protein hemoglobin. But they themselves do not have DNA and so cannot make any proteins. Hope this helps! Q: JFK MIddle School New York: Do you think that we will be able to choose our genes in the future? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: You are stuck with your DNA for life. Future generations may be able to have more control over their genetics. For instance, we have the ability right now to do genetic testing on embryos and only transfer back those embryos that are free of the genetic alteration that causes the disease. Q: : Since most of the genetic sequence is identical(99.9%), human beings vary by mutations in that 0.1% of base pairs. Therefore, considering the billions of people that have lived on this Earth, is it safe to hypothesize that two people have shared the same genetic sequence(excluding identical twins)? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: Individuals have probably shared similar sequence over time. Based upon the billions of combinations it would be hard to say that two people shared the exact genetic sequence. In my opinion, based upon the the billions and billions of combinations that one person could have, I would say it is unlikely, but not impossible, that two unrelated individuals shared the same exact genetic material. Q: willie, hf: OH YEAH DNA DAY! WOO HOO THIS IS LIKE A SECOND CHRISTMAS FOR ME. THIS SHOULD BE A NATIONAL HOLIDAY!! A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: Hi Willie! Yes we are also very excited for it to be DNA Day again this year. Thanks for your excitement! Q: Manuel: In reference to the novel "Double Helix," is it possible to identify a genetic order in certain eggs and fertilize only those without the disorder? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: No. A human egg only has one cell. If we tested the cell, the cell would die. The same goes for sperm. Once the human egg is fertilized, it begins dividing. Once it reaches the point where there are about 16 cells, it is possible to remove one of those cells and test it. Then doctors can choose between the embryos and only transfer those embryos without the genetic alteration that causes disease back to the woman's uterus. This technology is called preimplantation genetic diagnosis or PGD. Q: Samantha Klasfeld: How much longer till you find the cure for Alzheimers? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: It is difficult to say how long it will take until we find a cure for Alzheimers. There is a lot of research going on to find ways we can treat Alzheimers. There is also a lot of research going on to look at ways we can delay symptoms and improve the quality of life of those individuals who are diagnosed with this disease. We will probably make more progress in this area of delaying symptoms before we are able to find a cure. Q: Shananay Laquisha, Witchiaka, Kansas: When DNA was first discovered were people suprised? Or did some people go into panic that people were going to try to steal you DNA? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: I wish I could say I was there when DNA was discovered to see their reaction, but it was quite a long time ago. I think with each new genetic discovery people are excited at the possibilites, but also take care to make sure the information is appropriately used. Q: Morgan Springer, St. Paul's School for Girls: Are sociability and friendliness genetically based? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: We don't know yet. My guess is that there are lots of genetic and environmental factors including a person's choice at every given moment. Q: JFK MS - New York: DO you know if anger is associated with DNA? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: There may be a genetic influence, but there are also many environmental factors including a person's individual choice at any given moment. Q: Lisa HF: What is the Human Genome Project? A: Joe McInerney, M.S.: Thanks for your question, Lisa. The HGP, completed in 2003, was an international effort to identify the sequence of all 3.2 billion base pairs that make up human genes. There were and are other projects to determine the DNA sequence of other species as well, for example mouse, many bacteria, the chimapnzee, and the macaque monkey. These sequences are available to the public on a variety of databases. The major challenge, once a sequence is completed, is to figure out what those data mean in terms of the biology of the species in question. Best -- Joe McInerney Q: Bob Dole: why do you love your job? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: It never get's boring. The technology is always changing, so there are always new ethical questions to think about. I also get to do lots of different things including research, teaching, mentoring, and participating in DNA Day. Q: brandi boca raton florida: What are some of the most recent advances from the Human Genome Project? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: Many of the tools and technologies that were created during the Human Genome Project are now being used for today's research. For example, GWAS (or Genome Wide Association Studies) have been made possible because of the advances in technology of the Genome Project as a way to identify genes responsible for more common disorders, such as cancer or diabetes. Q: Sule Bertram from Rockford IL: I was wondering what is happening at the molecular level during transcription/translation that makes one allele dominant over another. Does the polymerase have an affinity to the dominant allele over the recessive one? Or is the control at the translation level? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: At the transcription level, variations in promoter sequences and the affinty of the RNA polymerase for the promoter can have an effect on the level of the transcripts produces. In additon, translation of the allele could be affected by factors such as the morphology or amount of the transcript available for translation. Q: Ryan C. QBY, NY: Is there a cure or treatment for color blindness? A: Kate Reed, M.P.H., Sc.M.: There are a number of different types of color blindness, including red-green colorblindness and a complete lack of ability to see color. Colorblindness is casued by changes in genes that influence the distribution of rods and cones in the eyes. Because these changes are found in every cell of the body, we currently do not have the technology to fix the problem, though this technology, called gene therapy, is being researched. Q: Nate Glover: Is it possible to "inject" your DNA with a spider's and turn out like Spiderman? A: Anthony Antonellis, Ph.D.: Spiderman is a great science fiction, comic book hero. While most science fiction is based on some science fact, it would not be possible to inject yourself with spider DNA and become like Spiderman. One reason for this is that, for a spider to become a spider, there is a detailed developmental process involving gene regulation (turning them on and off), cell differentiation, and so forth. Therefore, injecting the spider DNA into already-differentiated human cells would not allow the development of spider-like qualities and could actually be harmful! Q: Marcelo Lopez, from Johannesberg, South Africa: Do you think the theme from GATTACA will come true? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: Good question. In the movie GATTACA, genetic discrimination is illegal, but it still rules people's lives. There's a bill in the Congress right now (that we refer to as GINA) to make genetic discrimination illegal, but even if it is illegal to discriminate based on genetics for job hiring or insurance coverage, we don't know how people might use genetic testing in the future. Currently, certain cultures routinely test for carrier status for certain diseases before they marry or have children. This could potentially become more common in the future. It's up to all of us collectively to make sure that we use this new and exciting technology to create a better society for everyone. Q: Christopher Green, Carver High School, Houston TX: How could changing one base in the DNA sequence disrupt the production of essential amino acids? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: The codon sequences (three bases that represent the amino acids) are specific for each of the amino acids. If one base is changed, this can result in a change to the codon. Changing the codon can result in a change in the amino acid. Q: George emmanouilidis i am from greece: What would happen if humans didn't have genetics? A: Joe McInerney, M.S.: Thanks for your question, George. The discipline "genetics" is the study of inherited biological variation. If we didn't have this discipline we'd know a lot less about the origin, nature, and extent of human variation. If you mean, "what would happen if we didn't have genes," the short answer is that we wouldn't be here. Genes -- DNA - are the basic molecules of life. Best -- Joe McInerney Q: Maxwell and abby-gail, Tennessee: Is it possible for gene mutations to develop in the later stages of life? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: This is a great question. Gene mutations can develop throughout our life and as people get older they tend to have more of these mutations or changes. Changes that happen in our gene during our life (or after we are born) tend to affect only some cells as opposed to all of the cells in our body. One example of this is cancer. Cancer arises from gene mutations in a specific cell that then passes that mutation on to its daughter cells and so on until there are enough cells with gene mutations that leads to cancer. The good news is that our cells can correct mistakes and gene changes before they cause a disease like cancer. Once in a while, however, these mechanisms fail, leading to disease. Q: eligio: Do you think that later we can modify DNA in order for a human being to reach perfection? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: Probably not because everyone's definition of perfection is different. Also, character traits have positive and negative characteristics. It's up to every individual to channel characteristics like ambition, intelligence, etc. in ways that contribute to the good of society. Q: Amanda from Baltimore, MD: What does your day typically look like? Are there people who work in your field without participating in research? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: My job doesn't involve research. I work in an Education office and get to organize online chatrooms and other programs for people who are interested in learning about genetics. I'm sitting in a room filled with people who have very different jobs, all related to genetics. Some are basic scientists, others genetic counselors who see patients through their day, others consider the ethical implications of genetics, and still others work in a media office to help announce all of the exciting events in the field of genetics. It's a very diverse field! Q: Stephanie from NJ: Is there a gene for for the way people think or see the world? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: Not that we know of. Even if people have a generally positive or negative outlook on life, they always have the freedom to change that perception. Q: Deidre from NJ: Is it possible for parents who are genetically related to have normal children? A: Kate Reed, M.P.H., Sc.M.: Yes. Parents who are closely related (first cousins) may be more likely to have children affected by autosomal recessive conditions, which means that the child carries mutations in both copies of a certain gene. Even in these situations, the parents have a 75% (3 in 4) chance of having a child who is not affected by disease.
Q: Bobby Losoya, St. Ignacious Prep: How can the knowledge of RNAi be manipulated by scientists to our advantage? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: RNAi has been utilized as a tool be scientists to interfere with the production of proteins in orders to decrese the amount of protein that a cells produces or down regulating the proteins. Q: chris kingry, crooms AOIT: how close are people on creating a way to creat eternal life or somthing like that? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: Public health interventions and some medical interventions have extended our life span over the last few decades, but death in not something we are likely to escape anytime soon. Q: Sarah Felty: Can someone change their DNA? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: For the most part, DNA is an incredibly stable molecule. However, there are small changes that naturally occur through a person's life, but these don't necessarily cause phenotypic changes. There are some outside forces, such as radiation or other mutagens, that can cause changes to a person's DNA. Q: Marcelo Lopez, from Johannesberg, South Africa: How linked is evolution to genetics? A: Joe McInerney, M.S.: Thanks for your question, Marcelo. It's impossiblle to understand genetics without genetics, and vice-versa. Darwin showed us that variation is the rule, not the exception, in the living world. Variation is essential to Darwin's theory of natural selection -- if all members of a given species were the same, there could be no differential selection. Genetics helps us understand where biological variation resides and how it gets transmitted from one generation to the next. The only variation that matters in an evolutionary sense is variation that is passed on. Finally, one definition of genetics is a change in gene frequencies in a population across time. Q: sarah cisek, St. Paul's School for Girls: Primarily, where is most genetic research conducted? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: It depends on the kind of research. Some research is conducted in the typical wet lab. But other research occurs entirely on computers. Genetic research that answers social and behavioral questions may be conducted through surveys and focus groups. Genetic research is an incredibly diverse field. Q: Kelci Hughesville,MD: Have they used gene therapy for treating breast cancer? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: The short answer is not yet. Breast cancer is a very complex disease caused by changes or mutations in many different genes. This makes it a difficult disease to be treated by gene therapy. Some people do have a predisposition or a greater chance to develop breast cancer because of a gene change or mutation they are born with. Not many people fall in this category. But for those that do, there may be a way in the distant future that we can alter their genes and decrease their chance of developing breast cancer. In general, gene therapy is still in its early stages and is only available as part of research studies for very specific conditions. Q: MEMS Middle per 1: How can something so small, like DNA, hold so much information about a person? A: Anthony Antonellis, Ph.D.: Not only is DNA small, it is also fairly simple in that it contains only four types of nucleotides (adenine or A, guanine or G, cytosine or C, and thymine or T). These nucleotides are responsible for carrying out the many functions of the genome (for example making proteins, regulating the activity of genes, organizing the genome into the nucleus of cells, and so on). The different combinations of these nucleotides is one of the ways that DNA can carry so much information about people (that is, how to make different proteins, how and when to turn a gene off or on). Furthermore, while DNA is very small, there are many of these nucleotides in each cell (about 3 billion). Thus, having a lot of DNA in each cell is another way for it to carry information. Q: Willard Bobby, Poster, CO: As high school athletes continue to strive for more of an edge, could these athletes gain that edge by using DNA as a substitute for steroids? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: Yes. The internation olympics committee is already beginning to think about this. Hypothetically, modifying a person's DNA would be the most efficient at the point of conception. Altering a person's DNA after they are born is only being used in clinical trials to try to treat disease. Q: JFK MS - NY: Is the ability to memorize things quickly inherited? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: I'm not aware of any research to test that theory. Q: NIck Sigmon: Can DNA make noise? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: I am not sure that DNA makes noise, but the process of replicating it, transcribing it, and modifying it requires cellular processes that probably make really, really small noises. Q: JFK MS - NY: If you volunteer to clone yourself, is it still illegal? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: There are some states that have made reproductive cloning illegal. The federal government has yet to pass legislation on this issue. As of today, no one has actually cloned a human being. Q: David, newton,MA: How long is a strand of DNA? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: Great question! A strand of DNA from one cell, completely unwound, would stretch six feet long! Q: Benito Camelo: Why do you like your job, Flavia? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: I like my job for many different reasons. One of them is that I can help individuals and families who may be at risk for a genetic condition. Another reason is that my job allows me to do research in areas that interest me. And, lastly, it allows me to teach students in the classroom and in the clinic, which is something I love to do! Q: Shannon Hudson, Crawfordsville, Indiana: Do you believe the term "race" should be used when referring to different ethnic backgrounds? How woudl you define the tow terms to students? A: Jean McEwen: Race is primarily a social construct relating to how individuals and groups define themselves. It is inherently a very imprecise concept, as there are no clear "boundaries" between "races." Ethnicity is also primarily a social construct, which relates to groups that share a common cultural background, language, diet, etc. In genetics, the concepts of both race and ethnicity have limited utility because of their inherent imprecision and the fact that they are both largely social--not biological--constructs. Ancestral geography, however, does have meaning for geneticists, because it may correlate with differences in the frequencies with which people have certain genetic variants. Ancestral geography does correlate to some extent with concepts of race and ethnicity, but it is not exactly the same thing. Q: MEMS Middle per 1: Does anyone have the same DNA as anyone else? A: Anthony Antonellis, Ph.D.: The DNA that an individual carries in their cells is unique to that person, and is inherited from both biological parents (half from the mother, and half from the father). Therefore, nobody really has the same DNA as another person. This is why DNA profiling is an effective tool for identifying people. That being said, the DNA from any two individuals is more than 99% identical, and it is believed that very small differences are responsible for our individual characteristics. Q: Zack Armanda: I fear I may have herpes. Will it affect the dna in my children? A: Kate Reed, M.P.H., Sc.M.: No. Herpes is caused by a virus and can be passed on to other people through sexual contact, but it does not cause mutations in your sperm or egg cells. This means that you are not at any greater risk of having children with changes in their DNA than if you hadn't had herpes. There are treatments available for herpes. You can find more information about herpes at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/stdherp.htm. It's always a good idea to talk to your doctor about your fears about your health.
Q: B.B.S.P.Nag: Can you provide interactive multimedia presentation of gene mutations and chromosomal mutations for K-12 students? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: Absolutely, a great multimedia resource is our Education Kit, which can be found online at http://genome.gov/25019879. Another great resource is the Genetic Science Learning Center at http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/ Q: evan florida: how much money do you make a year A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: A lot. Way more than the national average household income for the US, but average for the Washington DC area where the cost of living is very high. I have a Ph.D. in public health and was very poor for many years while I was in school. Most of my salary goes to pay for child care for my two boys. Q: Usnavy Abatecola: Do people have similar DNA? A: Jean McEwen: Yes, we are all approximately 99.9% identical at the DNA level. However, even very small differences in DNA from person to person can in some cases have important health implications. Q: : Do you have DNA Day every year? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: Yes! DNA Day occurs every year on April 25. It is something we look forward to every year! Q: Springer: What are future directions in DNA research? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: DNA research is going in many directions. Here are just a few: 1. Gene therapy 2. Analysis of the the genome and trying to better understand how the environment affects our genes 3. Better understanding of human variation 4. Personalized medicine 5. Pharmacogenomics 6. and more Q: Lappi; Clarkstown North High School, New City, NY: Where is ligase made and what is it made up of? A: Anthony Antonellis, Ph.D.: A ligase is an enzyme that attaches two molecules, and there are many genes that makes ligases in the human genome. One example are the enzymes that ligate amino acids to tRNA molecules. Since ligases are enzymes (a special kind of protein) they are made up of amino acids. Q: Daia from Georgia: Is intelligence determinded by genes A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: It definitely has a genetic component, but certainly isn't based on a single gene. It's likely a combination of multiple genes and the environment. Q: : Can you inherite a trisomy? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: Individuals who are born with a trisomy usually have them as a result of a mistake in cell division. This mistake can happen in the sperm, or in the egg, or in the fetus at the time they are being formed in his/her mom's womb. This type of mistake happens by chance in most cases. An example of a trisomy is Trisomy 21 which leads to Down Syndrome. Most individuals with Trisomy 21 have it as a result of one of these mistakes in cell division. Q: Lauren Chieffo and Rachel Besser: What are some of the experiments that you are working on right now? A: Anthony Antonellis, Ph.D.: I work on two kinds of experiments. First, I am trying to identify genes that cause neurodegenerative diseases in humans. This involves obtaining DNA from various patients with these diseases and performing PCR (the polymerase chain reaction), and DNA sequencing to identify disease-associated mutations. Second, I am trying to understand the development of the peripheral nervous system - the part of our body that controls, for example, movement of our hands and feet. Mainly, I am interested in comparing the genomes of different animals (human, mouse, rat, and so on) to identify genomic regions that are involved in turning genes on and off as the peripheral nervous system develops. Q: Dude Johnson: What is holding back gene therapy? A: Kate Reed, M.P.H., Sc.M.: Because the greatest concern for new therapies is safety, one of the challenges in developing gene therapy is to make sure it is safe for participants in clinical trials. Also, the technology itself is quite complex because the therapy would have to be delivered to many cells. Researchers are working hard on finding ways to address the difficulties and move the technology forward. Q: kayla: Sarah, how did you decide that you wanted to become a scientist? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: Hi Kayla, My father was a huge influence for me to go into science. He was a science teacher and encouraged me to study science when i was in college, and I really enjoyed learning about how things work. After college I studied public health genetics, because I was interested in learning about the implications of genetics, and how genetics might affect large groups of people in the future. It's a very rewarding field to be in, and certainly there is never a dull day. Q: patrick: how does it feel to be scientist A: Brian Capell, M.D.: Being a scientist is really a fascinating opportunity. Each and everyday one is able to learn new things and explore new questions. I have been studying a rare disease where children age prematurely and it is exciting to come to work each day and use experimental techniques to answer questions that both might lead to new treatments for this condition as well as insight into the normal aging process. Q: Sam Vaught, Crawfordsville, Indiana: Do you support the use of DNA in criminiology? (use of evidence for conviction, etc) A: Jean McEwen: DNA can be a very powerful tool in criminal cases, both to help identify guilty people and exonerate innocent people in cases that involve biological evidence. (Many people who have spent years in prison - some of them on death row - have been exonerated through DNA technology.) Of course, it is important that the chain of evidence be handled properly and that labs that do the testing maintain good quality in control in order for the evidence to be reliable. A major policy current policy issue in this area is whether the state should pay for DNA testing for people who have already been convicted but who continue to maintain that they are innocent. Q: sean p, minnetonka mn: When did the human genome project start? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: Hi Sean, The genome project kicked off in 1990, and finished up in 2003...ahead of schedule! Q: Rachel and Lauren: What do you find most benefical about working with DNA? A: Anthony Antonellis, Ph.D.: I think the most important aspect of our research is the ability to identify variations in DNA that cause human disease. First, this will allow us to more accurately diagnose patients and to develop novel or more efficient therapies for specific diseases. Second, by understanding how mistakes in DNA cause diseases we get a better idea of how molecules, cells, organs, and tissues normally function. Q: Lappi; Clarkstown North High School, New City, NY: Is being an albino hereditary? If so, is it dominant or recessive? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: Albinism refers to a group of disorders that are inherited. Most types of albinism are inherited in an autosomal recessive form, meaning the individual with albinism inherits two gene changes, one from the mother and one from the father. There is a great website that goes over albinism in detail. I think you would enjoy checking it out. See the link below. http://www.albinism.org/publications/what_is_albinism.html Q: Tara, St. Paul's School for Girls: Is there a way to prevent someone from inheriting a genetic disease that one or both of their parents have if doctors are aware of the inheritance risk before the baby is born? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: Yes. A couple who know that they are at risk of having a child with a genetic disease have a number of options. They can take their changes with a natural conception. Some types of genetic disease have a 50% chance of being passed on to a child and other diseases only one out of four children will actually have the disease. The couple can then have prenatal testing. If the fetus has the genetic disease, the couple will have to make a difficult decision about whether or not to continue the pregnancy. The couple can use a sperm donor to have children to avoid the risk of disease. They can adopt, or they can use invitro fertilization to create multiple embryos. These embryos are grown in a dish until they have about 16 cells. One cell is removed with a microscopic straw, and the DNA from the cell is tested. Those embryos that are unaffected by the genetic condition are then transferred to the woman's uterus. Affected embryos are usually discarded; however, some of them have been donated to stem cell research designed to learn more about these genetic diseases. This research could lead to new treatments. Q: MEMS Middle per 3: Can DNA change as you get older? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: DNA can change as one ages. With age, different stresses, for example UV sunlight, can damage DNA and many people think that these DNA changes are what lead to normal aging. Q: fio Newton,MA: Which one, DNA or enviroment affects a persons traits more? A: Jean McEwen: It depends on the trait or disease. However, most human traits, and most common diseases, are influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Many studies are now underway to try to figure out the relative contributions of genes and environment to a number of common, complex conditions. Q: Tighe Lutz: do you have a wife/husband, and are they a nerd too? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: I have a husband. He's way more of a nerd than I am. I am a social scientist who studies the ethical implications of the human genome project. It's really cool. My husband is a computer expert. I don't understand anything that he does. On the weekends, he's a volunteer fire fighter. I like to quilt in my spare time. We have two boys ages 3 and 6 who keep us really busy. When I get home from work, I frequently color, ride bikes, or go to the park and feed the ducks. Sounds pretty nerdy, huh? Q: Kyle carrilio, florida: What are your typical research experiments about and how do they affect us? A: Anthony Antonellis, Ph.D.: My research involves identifying variations in DNA that cause human disease. Basically, this involves obtaining DNA from patients with specific genetic diseases, and performing PCR (the polymerase chain reaction) and DNA sequencing to identify disease-asoociated mutations. The major affect this will have on public health is that, by knowing the specific mutations that cause a disease, we will: (1) be able to more accurately diagnose patients; (2) be able to develop novel or more efficient therapeutics; and (3) get a better understanding of how the affected genes normally function. Q: Brian HFCHS: What is the point of DNA Day? Does anything special happen? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: DNA Day is the celebration of the completion of the Human Genome Project and the anniversary of the description of the double helix by Watson and Crick. Every year the NHGRI celebrates by hosting an online chatroom like this one, and sending researchers out to classrooms to talk about their careers and about exciting topics in genetics. It's a lot of fun, we look forward to it every year! Q: Drew Johnson, GA: Is being a scientist stressful to your sex life? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: Not really. I love my research, and it never get's boring. Right now, I find being a mother way more stressful. Q: patrick: What kind of scientist are you? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: Currently I am studying to receive both my medical degree and my Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology. I hope that by receiving this broad training in both science and medicine that I will be able to take results from basic science lab experiments and translate them into clinical treatments and improvements for patients. Q: cam yeaw newton massachusets brown middle school: Will we have the same DNA in the future or will it be different? A: Kate Reed, M.P.H., Sc.M.: DNA is made up of 4 base pairs and that will not change in the near future. An individual's DNA can change during his or her lifetime because of environmental exposures. For example, most types of cancer are caused by mutations in genes that control cell growth and division. These mutations happen during a person's lifetime and we often do not know what the specific cause of the mutation is. Q: thomas Muntaner, St. Ignacious Prep: As prenatal testing and genetic test become more used to look for genetic diseases, do you think that our privacy will be at risk with insurance agencies, and if so what do you think that we should do to combat such a thing from occurring? A: Andrea Kalfoglou, Ph.D.: The US Congress is currently debating a bill that would make genetic discrimination for insurance purposes illegal. Let's hope it passes. Q: Ms. Lugo Rosa Parks High School, Paterson, NJ: Mr.McInerny, with regards to the new behaviors being demonstrated by chimps, gorillas and some bird species (i.e. tool use), do you speculate that their evolution will mirror that of humans whereby their intelligence will place them higher in the food web? A: Joe McInerney, M.S.: Dear Ms. Lugo: Thanks for your interesting question. First, we have to remember that these behaviors likely are not new to these species. We have, rather, begun to look for different types of behavior in many species and have uncovered some that we did not recognize before, or we have begun to attach new interpretations to those behaviors. For example, behavioral biologists have observed some chimpanzees seemingly comforting others in times of stress. We still don't know what that means for sure. It is clear, however, that many behaviors are conserved across species, inclding primates -- Darwin even wrote a book about that. Remember that behaviors have an environmental context, and that behaviors reflect the needs of the species in question. We never know what direction evolution will take, but there is no expectation that birds, for example, eventally will to move "up" toward humans in terms of intellectual capacity. Q: Liz Komarek Holy Family Catholic High School: Has there been a discovered for breast cancer? Can breast cancer be inherited? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: Most breast cancer is not inherited. About 10% of all cases of breast cancer are due to inherited predispositions to breast cancer. There are different genes changes that lead to these predispositions. Most individuals who have a predisposition to breast cancer have changes in one of two genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 -- BR stands for breast, CA stands for cancer, 1 for the first gene that was found, and 2 for the second one. It is important to understand that people who have changes in these genes have a predisposition or a higher chance to develop breast cancer compared to those people who do not have these gene changes. But it does not mean that they will for sure develop breast cancer. Hope this helps! Q: Richard Cranium: If you could be a gene, what gene would you be? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: I think I would be Gene Kelly...I've always wanted to be able to dance :) Q: JFK MS - NY: Do my genes affect my dislikes and likes? A: Jean McEwen: They probably do in some way, but right now we really understand very little about how genes interact with factors in people's environments to influence likes, dislikes, or other complex behavioral or personality traits. Q: Heidi: My professor is involved in C. elegans studies. Are any of you, and in what manner? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: I, myself, am not working with C. elegans, though I am aware of a lot of work that has been done with this organism and it has definitely provided scientists with many incredible insights into numerous biological processes. For instance, single mutations in C. elegans can actually double their lifespans! I am currently working just with mice and human samples. Q: brandi boca raton florida: Do you have time outside of the lab to spend time with your family? A: Anthony Antonellis, Ph.D.: Yes! I have a wife and two beautiful children, and spend a lot of my time with them. Science is a career path that can occupy a lot of your time. This is in part due to the pressure to produce and publish data, and in part due to the fact that most scientists really enjoy their job. However, I try to keep a very balanced lifestyle, and while I work very hard, I try to know when to stop! Q: skylar, newton: If you have progeria, do you immediatley start to look as if you are much older then you are, or do you go through a process, like you look 20 and then 30 and then 40 etc. A: Brian Capell, M.D.: Children with progeria look actually completely normal when they are born. It is only at about 12-20 months of age that the kids begin to show the first signs of aging. It is a rapid course and the children begin to have elderly features shortly after that (hair loss, skin wrinkling, heart disease). Q: Jean Marx Florida: What kind of education is required for your field of work? A: Anthony Antonellis, Ph.D.: Many different people with varying educational background work in the field of genetics. My major career goal is to become a professor at a university and to carry out genetic research. Toward this, I obtained a college degree in Zoology, worked in research for a few years, and then went back to get Ph.D. However, I work with a lot of excellent scientists that have college degrees, M.D.s, Ph.D.s, and M.D./Ph.D.s. I think it really depends on your specific career goal. Q: B.B.S.P.Nag, SMV Centre for Biotechnology, NAGPUR, INDIA: Now it is 7:45 P.M. in India. My M.Sc. Biotechnology students are participating in DNA Day chat. What are your suggestions for building their career in Human Genetic research in Indian percepective? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: Hello to India! Thank you for participating in the chatroom this year. I would encourage your students to figure out what about genetics interests them, whether it's working in a lab, or being in a clinic, or any of the other applications of genetics. It's important to get a good foundation of education in the field, but to definitely follow where your interests lie. Q: Nicholas Brown Middle School: In the rat, is an xx chromosome a girl and xy a boy, or are these labels different for rats? A: Anthony Antonellis, Ph.D.: Yes, rats are similar to humans in that male rats carry one X and one Y chromosome, and female rats carry two X chromosomes. Q: carlos boston MA: Is there a cure for progeria? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: There is no cure for progeria, though since the discovery of the genetic mutation that causes progeria in 2003, numerous advances have been made that have brought us closer to potential therapies. In fact, studies from our lab have led to a potential drug therapy in a drug called an "FTI" or a farnesyltransferase inhibitor. A clinical trial testing this drug in children with progeria is set to begin later this year actually! Q: Courtney Opich: What does it cost of having your DNA sequences to check and see if your related to someone A: Jean McEwen: There are a number of companies that now perform DNA ancestry testing. Prices vary, but generally run from about $100 to $650, depending on the complexity of the test. Q: Mike from NJ: Is there a gene for hearing loss? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: There are several hundred genes known to cause hereditary hearing loss. Hereditary hearing loss can be inherited as part of a condition that leads the individual to have other features besides hearing loss, or it can be inherited by itself, i.e. without any other features. Genetic testing is available for many different types of inherited hearing loss. If you, a friend, or a family member is interested in speaking with a health care professional about this, you can go to the National Society of Genetic Counselors website and search for a genetic counselor in your area. That site is www.nsgc.org Q: Hannah from Newton: What are the symptoms of Progeria A: Brian Capell, M.D.: Skin wrinkling, hair loss, short stature, bone changes such as osteoporosis, and severe heart disease that leads to death in most cases at an average age of 12 or 13. Q: Nick McAndrews, HFCHS, MN: Why is it so important to know what DNA is? A: Joe McInerney, M.S.: Thanks for your question, Nick. DNA is an information molecule, and it carries information coded in digital form. It is the universal information molecule for all life on earth - from bacteria and worms to oak trees and human beings. DNA provides continuity of information between cells, between generations of individual organisms and between species across evolutionary time. By studying DNA we can learn how organisms grow and develop, how biological processes are controlled and even about the history of our species. Here at NIH we are interested in how DNA influences the onset, expression and treatment of disease, including the diseases that are the major causes of illness and death around the world, for example, cancer, heart disease, mental illness, infection and diabetes. Best -- Joe McInerney Q: Juliana Newton, MA: Dear Dr. Capell, What is the average life span for kids with progeria? Is there any chance to live past adolescence? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: Kids with progeria usually only live to an average age of 12 or 13, though it is variable. Some have died much earlier at 4 years or so. The oldest reported progeria patient was 26 years old when he died. It seems to depend upon the mutation that the patient has. Q: Heather,Erie One Boces: What causes a still birth (death of baby at birth)? Is it hereditary? A: Kate Reed, M.P.H., Sc.M.: Stillbirths have a number different causes, including enviromental, genetic, and factors related to the pregnancy. If the stillbirth is because a child is affected by a genetic condition, it may or may not be more likely to happen again. For example, children with an extra chromosome 18 or 13 (trisomy 18 or 13) are more likely to be stillborn, but, in most cases, this condition happens by chance. Most parents are not at higher risk of having another child with the same issue. In other cases, a stillbirth can be caused by inheriting genetic mutations from the parents. In this case, the parents are at increased risk of having another affected child. Genetic counselors can help parents sort out their risk for future children. Q: Andrea From Newton: With the disease Progeria, does it mostly affect girls or boys or dose everyone have the same chance of getting it? how many people out of 100 get it how does it work. A: Brian Capell, M.D.: It seems to affect both boys and girls equally. It only happens in about 1 out of 4,000,000 births and there are only about 75-100 known cases in the world right now! Q: Dara Brown Midde School: Carla Easter, what do you wish to accomplish in the near future? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: I hope that my work at the Genome Institute will influence students like yourself to pursue careers in genomics and genetics and help the public better understand genetics and genomics. Q: Ary newton: Does progeria limit how tall a person might grow? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: Yes, children with progeria usually only grow to about 3 feet tall on average. Q: Helena Newton, MA: can people with progenia reproduce? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: No, children with progeria remain sexually immature despite the rest of their body aging so rapidly. Q: David Furman Cape Elizabeth: is talent genetic? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: It is likely that talent, such as singing or acting, has some genetic component. However, there have not been any specific genes identified to date. Q: Brittany Campbell, Utah: How is it we know the gene for cystic fibrosis but don't know how to cure it? What is being done to find the cure for things that we know the genes for? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: We have been much better at identifying genes that cause hereditary conditions than finding a treatment for hereditary conditions. This is because the technology for identifying genes is much more developed than the technology for providing gene therapy. There are ongoing research studies looking at gene therapy for very specific conditions. But in general gene therapy is still in its early stages. Hopefully the technology will continue to develop and one we will be able to offer gene therapy for conditions that are inherited. Q: danielle newon ma: What does it feel like to have progeria, do you feel as old as you look? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: Yes, unfortunately for these children, they really do feel their aging appearance. For example, they have joints that ache due to arthritis and they feel chest pain due to their heart disease when the disease has advanced enough. Q: Julia from Newton, MA: How many doctors are there answering questions now? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: We currently have about 8 experts in the room together all working to answer your questions. They have very different backgrounds, from genetic counseling, to public health, to molecular biology, and ethics. Keep the questions coming! Q: Dara Brown Midde School: How did Francis Crick and James Watson figure out the shape of DNA? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: Utlizing data from x-ray diffraction experiments, physics, and chemistry in addtion to working with collaborators, they were able to integrate this information to figure out the shape. Q: Andy Hidalgo, Los Angeles California: Do you think that at one point in the world, everybody will have the same DNA? If yes, why? A: Joe McInerney, M.S.: Thanks for your question, Andy. The DNA in all people - in all other organisms on the planet - is esentially the same in terms of its chemical struture. Among human beings, the sequence of the DNA bases is about 99.9 percent idenitical - but given 3.2 billion bases that still leave alot of differences. Given that mutation is continual and that new combinations of genes are created by crossing over and sexual reproduction, it is unlike that there will ever be two people - except identical twins - alike, much less everyone in the world. Best - Joe McInerney Q: Frank , Laredo, TX: This might sound stupid, and it's sort of a controversial issue, but, IS there such a thing as a "gay gene"? There are lots of theories going on, but this one seems to be the most interesting, as I do see homosexuality running in families I know. Thank you. A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: This is not a stupid question. It is a complex one, however. All conditions have both genetic and environmental components. No specific gene or set of genes for homosexuality has been identified. Q: Nick Newton, MA: Do all of you work in the same lab or are you all from different labs? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: Everyone in the chatroom now is from different parts of the Institute here. Some work in the Genome Technology Branch, others work in the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications program, still others work in the clinial center. These different backgrounds reflect how diverse the field of genetics is. Q: Mr. Patricks - Hyde Park Middle School - Las Vegas Nevada: Can you tell my students what base pairs have to do with children aging prematurely and why these base pairs affect this process of growth! A: Brian Capell, M.D.: It is actually really amazing because one single change in one single base pair, a change of a C to a T in a gene known as LMNA, is what leads to the very dramatic and devastating premature aging of progeria. This single change effects the protein produced by the LMNA gene, and this errant protein effects the structure of the nucleus in our cells. How these effects on the nulceus leads to what we see outwardly in a progeria patient is not known completely yet, but we are making progess all the time and hope that this knowledge will lead to a treatment or cure someday! Q: Julia Berger Tessa Turner, Spanish River: Does skin color affect the types of diseases you can get? A: Jean McEwen: No--except maybe for diseases like skin cancer (in general, people with fair skin are more prone to skin cancer than people with dark pigmentation). It is true, however, that the part of the world where your ancestors came from may affect how genetically predisposed you are to getting certain diseases, because different populations have different frequencies of particular genetic variants that may contribute to some diseases. So while skin color itself has very little to do with what types of diseases a person might be predisposed to, it may have some limited relevance to the extent that it correlates in some cases, and tto some degree, with ancestral geographic origin. As a general matter, though, skin color alone is a very poor proxy for "race"(a largely social construct), which in turn is a very poor proxy for ancestral geography--the only thing that really matters for purposes of understanding differences among individuals in their genetic risk. Q: Ish newton mass: When someone has a second baby does the child get the same or different chromosomes as the first one? A: Kate Reed, M.P.H., Sc.M.: Siblings share, on average, 50% of their genetic material. Each parent has 2 copies of each chromosome. They give one copy of each chromosome to each egg or sperm that they make. The egg and sperm that go onto be fertilized determine which chromosomes a child inherits. Therefore, siblings will share some of their chromosomes, but which ones is determined by chance. Q: luis crooms academy sanford florida: What is a mutation? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: A permanent structural alteration in DNA. In most cases, DNA changes either have no effect or cause harm, but occasionally a mutation can improve an organism's chance of surviving and passing the beneficial change on to its descendants. Q: Hannah from Newton: What is the gene that cause progeria? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: It's called LMNA and it produces proteins that form the structural scaffolding of the nucleus in all of our cells. Q: Rachell Douglas: Do you like your job? If so, why? A: Joe McInerney, M.S.: Dear Rachell: Thanks for your question. I really like my job, which focuses on educating a broad range of health professionals about genetics and its role in health and disease. I get to work every day with very interesting content and with very smart people who are dedicated to their work and to helping others. One of the best things about my job is that I'm always learning new things about biology. Best - Joe McInerney Q: jonh thompson: I have AIDs. Will it pass on through my genes if i have kids? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: AIDs is an infectious condition. You cannot pass it on to your children through your genes. AIDs can be transmitted at delivery. Q: Natasza from Brown Middle School: Brian Capell: What do you like about your job and why? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: What I love most is being able to learn new things everyday about science, health, and disease. Being able to explore questions through experiments and to potentially be able to use this new knowledge to help people with sickness and disease is really the most exciting and rewarding part of science and medicine. Q: Chris Ernst I'm from North Las Vegas and from Hyde Park Middle School: What chromosome causes ADHD? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: This is a great question because we have reason to believe that ADHD has a genetic component. For example, attention disorders often run in families. At this point, however, we do not know of any specific gene or genes that cause ADHD. There is a lot of research going on to look at families that have ADHD and try to find genes that may cause it. Another thing to keep in mind is that ADHD is a very complex condition so there are probably envinronmental factors that contribute to it as well. Q: eugene: Why isn't Rosalind Franklin give more credit towards our understanding of DNA?? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: You make a good point. Few people know about the contributions of Dr. Franklin. She did publish a paper about the structure at the same time as Watson and Crick. Unfortunately, Dr. Franklin died before the Nobel Prize was awarded and this the Nobel Prize cannot be awarded after someone's death. Q: Lindsey, MN: What is the Human Genome project exactly? A: Sarah Harding, M.P.H.: The Human Genome Project involved three main goals. The first was to sequence all 3 billion base pairs in the human genome. The second goal was to identify all of the human genes. Finally, a goal was to make all of this information publicly available. Q: Nick Newton, MA: Are there certain places n the world where progeria is more common? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: Patients with progeria have been found all over the world and from every continent. Given our knowledge right now, it doesn't seem to be any more or less common in different parts of the world. Q: Rachell Douglas: If you can describe DNA in one sentence, what would that sentence be? A: Joe McInerney, M.S.: Dear Rachell: Thanks for your question. DNA is the universal information molecule for all life on Earth and the information is encoded in digital form - A, T, C and G. Q: Shirley: Why are some people, "small people"? What is different in their DNA? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: We do not know at this point how many genes are involved in the determination of height. We do think that it is likely that there is more than one, and that the expression of those genes is influenced by a variety of environmental factors such as nutrition, disease, and access to healthcare. Q: Pepe, Guadalajara: Are Punnett squares as accurate in determining traits as they are easy to do? A: Carla Easter, Ph.D.: For Mendelian inherited traits (examples of Mendelian inheritance include autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and sex-linked genes) Punnet squares work pretty well. If the trait is due to the interaction of multiple genes, they are not very useful.
Q: sarah cisek, maryland: What is an example of a rare genetic disease? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: An example of a rare disease is Progeria, with an incidence of 1 in 4 million individuals. Q: Rachell Douglas: What is one of your experiments? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: An example of one experiment is using a process known as "site-directed mutagenesis" to change the amino acid sequence of a protein in order to see how these amino acid sequences effect the function of the protein. For example, by changing the sequence of the progerin protein (the protein mutated in progeria), and then using a process known as transfection to put these mutated forms into cells, one can observe the effects of these amino acid changes and what role they might play in the disease. Q: Neetu waghmare, SMVCBT, Nagpur, INDIA: Is DNA concept confined to our Earth only or is it present on other planets also? A: Joe McInerney, M.S.: Thank you for your question, Neetu. We don't know for certain whether DNA is present on other planets, but we do know that the environments on other planets would make it hard for DNA to function. DNA is the information molecule for all life on Earth, but if there is life on other planets (an open question), it might be based on other systems. Best -- Joe McInerney Q: Laura and Brooke, Hopewell NJ: Because I have both blonde hair and blue eyes are my genes completely recessive? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: The short answer is no. We inherit half of our genes from our mother and half of them from our father. All of us have traits that are inherited in different ways -- as a recessive trait, a dominant trait, and an X-linked trait. We used to think that hair color and eye color were inherited in a simple mendelian form, i.e. recessive or dominant. It turns out that they are probably inherited in a more complex way, as a result of more than just one gene. Hope this helps! Q: Dara Brown Midde School: Brian Capell, what do you wish to accomplish in the near future? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: I'm hoping to complete my M.D.-Ph.D. degree in May 2009 and then begin my residency training after that (this is the further more specialized training that doctors due after medical school before they practice on their own). Once I'm done with everything I would like to continue working as a physician-scientist combining both basic science research and clinical medicine. Q: MEMS Middle per 4: Do different parts of the body contain different types of DNA? A: Jeff Schloss, Ph.D.: For the most part, all parts of the body -- all cells in the body -- contain the same DNA. There are a few exceptions. DNA is rearranged in some immune system cells, and is absent from red blood cells. But different genes are EXPRESSED in different cells. That's what makes them look, behave and function differently. Q: skylar, newton: Is it possible for the symptoms of progeria to show up at an age later then 12 or 13? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: No, the symptoms always show up by 2-3 years of age. There is another premature aging disease known as Werner syndrome however, that is somewhat like progeria and starts later with the symptoms often appearing in the teens and 20s. Q: Tyler Franks, Pocono Mountain West: Will we ever be able to know what kind of kids we will have? Meaning their characteristics and personalities, or will we ever be able to pick? A: Jean McEwen: Through prenatal testing and preimplantation genetic diagnosis, it is now possible to find out many characteristics of one's potential future offspring, such as whether they have genes associated with certain (mostly rare) genetic diseases. However, we still understand very little about the contribution that genes make to behavior or complex personality traits. All of these kinds of characteristics are highly influenced by environmental factors, not just by genes, so it is very unlikely that there will ever be a simple genetic test that will be able to predict anything so complex with any degree of precision. Even if it someday becomes possible to do such testing, there are serious ethical issues associated with genetic testing for purposes of enhancement. Q: Jessica NC: Is bi-polar disorder genetic? A: Kate Reed, M.P.H., Sc.M.: Research on bipolar disorder suggests that there is a genetic component in some cases. There are environmental risk factors for bipolar disorder as well. We do not know specific genes that cause bipolar disorder alone, but we do know that having a strong family history of bipolar disorder increases your risk of developing the disease. Not everyone with a strong family history will develop disease. There is a lot of research going on to identify genes that contribute to risk for bipolar disease. Q: Mia Crooms AOIT Sanford: What made you want to be a scientist? How old were you when you figured out you wanted to be a scientist? A: Jeff Schloss, Ph.D.: This might sound silly, but I had a substitute teacher in 5th grade, who brought into class a microscope that projected its image onto a screen so the whole class could look. (Okay, I just told you how old I am -- this was before cheap video cameras!) The teacher showed us live paramecia and I was hooked! Q: Michael New Jersey: Is there any way to not get diabeties if it runs in your family, besides exercising and eating well)? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: At present, there is no specific genetic intervention that can prevent you from developing adult onset diabetes. Attention to environmental factors such as eating well and exercising are the current interventions to reduce the risk. Q: Mike Holt, Athens Michigan: If the cure for Progeria were to work, could you apply it to people without progeria, could it keep me looking 16 for the rest of my life?? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: That's a great question! Right now we are trying to figure out what role the process that causes progeria might have to do with the way we all age. Currently there is some evidence that there might be some relationship. However, the way we all age is caused by many things, everything from our genes to our lifestyle (what we eat, whether or not we smoke, etc.), so it is unlikely that any treatment for progeria which would be treating the genetic mutation, would be able to keep people looking 16. Perhaps it may allow us to live longer or healthier though! Q: sarah cisek, St. Paul's School for Girls: Does DNA determine a persons fingerprints? If so why is it that everybody's fingerprints are different? A: Flavia Facio, M.S.: Fingerprints are determined largely by genetics, but not entirely. The environment in the mother's womb also contributes to an individual's fingerprints. That is why, for example, identical twins' fingerprints are similar, but not exactly the same. Q: Nick Newton, MA: Can other living things beside people get progeria? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: No one has observed other animals getting premature aging diseases naturally to my knowledge. However, scientists have created many types of mice that do age prematurely due to a genetic mutation that they were given, such as the progeria LMNA mutation. Q: Simmons: What do you have to do to become a genetic counselor? What level of education, and what is your day like? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: To become a genetic counselor, you need to pursue a Master's Degree in Genetic Counseling. There are a number of programs across the United States. You can learn more about genetic counseling if you go to the web site of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. A typical day for a genetic counselor varies depending upon their focus. If you are a genetic counselor in a clinical genetics setting, you see individuals and families and evaluate their family history and answer their questions about genetic risk, genetic testing and interventions. Q: Nohemi Clara, California: Does DNA develop new genes over time? A: Joe McInerney, M.S.: Thanks for your question, Nohemi. Mutation creates new variations of existing genes and crossing over and sexual reproduction create new combinations of genes. You might want visit Oak Ridge National Laboratory's site: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml Best -- Joe McInerney Q: Nicole, ,from Asheville NC: Can you change your DNA in order to prevent Diabetes? A: Jennifer Sloan, M.S., Ph.D., C.G.C.: Not at this time. The genetics of diabetes is complicated and involves both genetics and environmental factors such as diet. Q: Geoff Ruth, SF, CA: I have a question about trisomy 21. My understanding is that 3 versions of one chromosome is usually lethal, and that it's not lethal with the 21 chromosome because that's a smaller chromosome with less genetic information in it. Is there such a thing as trisomy 22, since that's the smallest chromosome of all? A: Kate Reed, M.P.H., Sc.M.: Good question! You're right, having an entire extra chromosome is usually not compatible with life. Trisomy 21 is the most common trisomy seen in liveborn children, but, in theory, there can be an extra copy of any chromosome. Some children have been born with trisomy 22, but most of these fetuses are miscarried very early on in pregnancy. Those babies that survive early pregnancy usually die before or shortly after birth because they have many problems. Q: Drew Johnson, GA: Is being a scientist stressful? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: I think any career will have its stressful moments, though I think overall being a scientist is more exhilarating and exciting than stressful. Certainly when a particular experiment isn't going well it can be stressful, but when things work and go well, it is tremendously rewarding and totally makes up it! Q: MEMS Middle per 4: Can you create DNA? A: Jeff Schloss, Ph.D.: I've never done it myself, but people can synthesize DNA in the lab using a machine that does the chemistry. You type the sequence you want, into a computer, and the machine goes to work. We can also "create" DNA by doing recombinant DNA experiments that start with existing DNA molecules, and cutting-and-pasting those molecules to rearrange and re-join parts that originated in different places within an organism, or even from different organisms.
Q: JFK MIddle School - New York: Is eugenics true? A: Joe McInerney, M.S.: Thanks for your question. It is true that there was a movement called eugenics, but the movement was based largely on assumptions about biology, specifically genetics, that were incorrect. Best - Joe McInerney Q: evan wentzell florida: How many years did you have to go to school? A: Jennifer Sloan, M.S., Ph.D., C.G.C.: Hi Evan. I went to college for 4 years and majored in Biology. Then I obtained a PhD in science after 5 years of laboratory research. I am now a genetic counselor which required 2 years of training to obtain a Master's degree.
Q: Nick: If someone has Progeria do you know right when they're born or do you have to wait longer? A: Brian Capell, M.D.: In some cases there are some signs when the baby is born, such as certain skin changes. However, in the vast majority of cases, the children look completely normal (even with normal hair!) and it is only around 12 months of age that the disease is first noticed when the hair starts to fall out and the children stop growing normally. Q: Mrs. Forman, Maryland: I was recently diagnosed with lymphoma in my thyroid as a result of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Is lymphoma genetic? Should I worry about my daughter? A: Dale Lea, R.N., M.P.H., C.G.C., F.A.A.N.: There may be a genetic component to Hashimoto's thyroiditis, but the connection to lymphoma is not yet clearly understood. Q: Rebecca, Chicago: Jeff Schloss: Can you tell us about some of the technology used in the genetics field? A: Jeff Schloss, Ph.D.: Let's talk about DNA sequencing and microarrays. For many genetics experiments we need to know the exact sequence of nucleotides in a relatively long piece of DNA. For that, we use DNA sequencing, either in a procedure that a scientist does with small test tubes and an electrophoresis apparatus, or with a machine that automates the step. If we need to know a lot of short sequences, we can use gene "chips" that are about the size of a dime, pac |
