Weird Genetics Question

**DavidSnider** · Apr27-09, 03:02 PM

I was just reading some story about how Kathy Ireland is opposed to abortion because at the moment of conception they have a 'DNA Fingerprint'. Abortion issue aside, it got me to wonder:

If I sequenced my mother and father's DNA and generated all the 2^23 permutations of chromosomes would my genome, my siblings and all my potential siblings be in there? (Assuming no mutations or naughty milkmen).

**Ygggdrasil** · Apr27-09, 07:34 PM

No. During the generation of gamete cells, there can be recombination between homologous chromosomes generating chromosomes that contain some segments of DNA from one chromosome and some segments from it's homologous pair. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromosomal_crossover

Food for thought: cancer cells in your body would also have a unique DNA fingerprint.

**mgb_phys** · Apr27-09, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by Ygggdrasil

Food for thought: cancer cells in your body would also have a unique DNA fingerprint.

As does your mitochondria.

**alxm** · Apr28-09, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by mgb_phys

As does your mitochondria.

I'm no so sure.. mine looks a lot like my mom's.

**mgb_phys** · Apr28-09, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by alxm

I'm no so sure.. mine looks a lot like my mom's.

Doh - sorry I was thinking of having different DNA in you, not the original question.

**Zen2** · May12-09, 01:38 AM

Originally Posted by alxm

I'm no so sure.. mine looks a lot like my mom's.

This is how the whole 'out of Africa' concept came about. Genetic analysis has concluded that all mitochondrial DNA came from a single point in Africa.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out_of_Africa_theory

**cesiumfrog** · May12-09, 03:35 AM

Originally Posted by DavidSnider

..is opposed to abortion because at the moment of conception they have a [unique] 'DNA Fingerprint'.

Originally Posted by Ygggdrasil

During the generation of gamete cells, there can be recombination

So her argument is that every individual sperm cell has a human right to be nurtured through to adulthood, but not each identical twin?

**Moonbear** · May17-09, 08:24 PM

Every living organism has a "DNA fingerprint." Does that mean I shouldn't eat my carrots either, because they each have a unique DNA fingerprint?

**Zen2** · May17-09, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by Moonbear

Every living organism has a "DNA fingerprint." Does that mean I shouldn't eat my carrots either, because they each have a unique DNA fingerprint?

I'm not sure I fully understand the question, but if you're asking whether if it's unsafe to eat carrots due to their unique DNA fingerprint, you have to keep in mind that there are unique DNA fingerprints in a lot of things you eat. If not, then every piece of food you eat. Meats, vegetables, nuts, fruits and everything in between all have their own genetic material in their cells.

**Moonbear** · May17-09, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by Zen2

I'm not sure I fully understand the question, but if you're asking whether if it's unsafe to eat carrots due to their unique DNA fingerprint, you have to keep in mind that there are unique DNA fingerprints in a lot of things you eat. If not, then every piece of food you eat. Meats, vegetables, nuts, fruits and everything in between all have their own genetic material in their cells.

I was being sarcastic. Kathy Ireland's rationale was that having a unique DNA fingerprint meant that a "life" should be preserved (i.e., no abortion), so by that same logic, one should avoid all foods that need to be killed to consume them, since they all contain a unique DNA fingerprint (maybe the GM corn is okay, since they aren't so unique). I was just using sarcasm to point out the flaws in the argument.