Cecille's Creativity

Every cell in our body contains DNA, a long molecule that carries the instruction manual which is written in 23 pairs of chromosomes for making us. Eventually, we have two copies of each chromosomes, one from our father and one from our mother. They are written in a code of bases, commonly abbreviated as A, T, C and G.

On each chromosomes are thousands of genes. Variations in our genetic code give red hair or blue eyes. But single-letter differences in the genetic code (e.g. a G instead of a C) in our DNA can also give us mutations that can predispose us to disease.

Most diseases develop from a mix of gentle and environmental factors, often involving multiple errant genes. Over the past, decade, scientists have identified in the chromosomes where there are differences in the genetic code that can be used as markers (called SNPs "snips", short for single nucleotide polymorphisms). Researchers have found that people with certain markers are at greater or lesser risks of developing particular diseases.

Genetic testing companies have developed ways to scan DNA to look for these markers. So if you with type I diabetes, for example, you may be at increased risk of developing the disease. The companies don't predict you're going to the diabetes. Rather, they tell you the average person's risk of developing the disease and how your risk compares.