New Study Throws Fresh Light on Genetic Mutations in Humans Resulting In Rethinking Of Human DNA Patterns

Scott Williams a professor of Genetics at the Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth has made two surprising discoveries; firstly that man can have different genetic mutations in different parts of his body and secondly that the same genetic mutation can happen in unrelated humans. This shakes the very premise used to determine the DNA coding of individuals. This may alter the process used for DNA testing for paternity or forensic purposes, or genetic testing for breast cancer. Genetic mutations can occur in cells passed down from parents or it can occur after the egg is fertilized and throughout an individual’s life when exposed to viruses, radioactivity, sunlight, carcinogenic chemicals etc. This mutation later in life is known as somatic mutation and can cause cancer and other diseases. The cells divided by somatic mutation have a different DNA pattern from the base cells of the body. This study can help understand and change disease susceptibility in humans.