What is DNA? DNA is a double helix natural polymer found in the nucleus of your cells. Enzymes (put simply: biological catalysts made of proteins) make your DNA fit tightly into a tiny cell but it is much longer when stretched out and codes for your entire phenotype (physical characteristics). From DNA, we can learn more about particular diseases, behavioural tendencies and similarities between different species.

Although DNA seems like a typical biological part of everyone, it is extremely significant to biologists. DNA can pave the way for new medical advances, aid evolutionary research and help to formulate patterns of migration of our early ancestors. DNA is phenomenal. But DNA can also be utilised badly. You may have heard of companies such as FamilyTreeDNA. You may have sent your DNA to be tested: “why not, it won’t do any harm”. Well it can. As you click the little grey box that reads “I agree to Terms and Conditions” you agree to your DNA being used for research.

Research is good, research can help, research is important. However, research for insurance companies, law enforcement and inheritance arguments can be a disadvantage…

Insurance companies might give you a worse life insurance policy. Just like if you were a regular cigarette smoker, your choice of good insurance policies would be limited because your life expectancy is lower. DNA can show particular tendencies to develop a disease. However, your genetic makeup is not a lifestyle choice. You would, essentially, be restricted by your DNA. That it why DNA is important, socially.

Biologically, DNA is even more important. To me, DNA can be so much more than just an economical investment for an insurance company. DNA, as I have already said can help medicine. If we can find the root cause of a disease we will be able to tackle it head on. Scientists have found ways to cut out undesirable parts of DNA and replace them with healthy ones so that people do not get ill. The only problem is that some people may want to ‘design’ there future children to have particular characteristics such as intelligence and ‘good looks’.

Additionally, DNA can create links between ancestors and modern humans. Scientists have recently found ancestral DNA in African people which is different to the genomes from Neanderthals. The DNA from these early ancestors are unknown to scientists and is referred to as a ‘ghost’ ancestor. I find this fascinating and useful because if we can find where humans originate from, we can learn more about evolution.

In my opinion, the problems with DNA studying and using it for medical advantages come from the human desire to have money or human greed. Issues do not stem from science and I trust science more.

So I would give my DNA to a reliable company, after I have read the Terms and Conditions. So donate your genomes to science but always read the small print.

Sunday 16th February 2020