Should We Stop Eating Foods with Unique DNA Fingerprints?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of unique DNA fingerprints in living organisms, particularly in the context of food consumption and ethical considerations surrounding abortion. Participants explore the genetic uniqueness of various organisms, including humans and plants, and question the rationale behind avoiding foods with unique DNA fingerprints.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether sequencing parental DNA would encompass their own genome and that of their siblings, assuming no mutations.
  • Another participant explains that recombination during gamete formation results in unique chromosomes, challenging the initial assumption about genetic uniqueness.
  • Some participants note that cancer cells and mitochondria also possess unique DNA fingerprints, raising questions about the implications of this uniqueness.
  • A participant sarcastically questions whether the presence of unique DNA fingerprints in carrots and other foods implies they should not be consumed, highlighting the absurdity of extending the argument against abortion to food consumption.
  • Another participant clarifies that the argument against eating foods with unique DNA fingerprints is flawed, as all living foods contain genetic material.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of unique DNA fingerprints, particularly regarding ethical considerations in food consumption and abortion. There is no consensus on whether the uniqueness of DNA should influence dietary choices.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference genetic concepts such as recombination and mitochondrial DNA without resolving the complexities or assumptions involved in these discussions.

DavidSnider
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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).
 
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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.
 
Ygggdrasil said:
Food for thought: cancer cells in your body would also have a unique DNA fingerprint.
As does your mitochondria.
 
mgb_phys said:
As does your mitochondria.

I'm no so sure.. mine looks a lot like my mom's.
 
alxm said:
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.
 
DavidSnider said:
..is opposed to abortion because at the moment of conception they have a [unique] 'DNA Fingerprint'.
Ygggdrasil said:
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?
 
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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?
 
Moonbear said:
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.
 
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Zen2 said:
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.
 

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