What does your DNA say about you? Your DNA contains a blueprint for your entire body, and it is responsible for governing everything from the color of your eyes to the shape of your nose. By looking at your DNA, scientists can learn an incredible amount about who you are and where you come from. In this blog post, we’ll explore what our DNA has to say about us!
What is DNA?
DNA is the blueprint for life. It contains the instructions necessary to build and maintain living organisms. The human genome, which is all of the DNA present in a human being, has about 3 billion base pairs. That may sound like a lot, but it’s actually just a tiny fraction of all the DNA on Earth. In fact, if all of the DNA in one person were stretched out end-to-end, it would be only about 6 feet (2 meters) long!
What information is contained in our DNA?
DNA is the blueprint for our bodies and contains all the information that makes us who we are. It’s estimated that each human has around two metres of DNA in their cells! So, how much does DNA cost? In Namibia, a company called DeCodeMe offers DNA testing for N$495 (approximately US$33). The test involves swabbing the inside of your cheek to collect some cells, which are then sent off to be analysed. Once the results are back, you receive an online report detailing what your genes say about you.