Tomorrow is DNA Day. Here’s a fun little activity page to help you learn more about deoxyribonucleic acid so you can impress your friends and neighbors with your genomic knowledge.
For the answers, download a copy of this page at www.genetionary.org/fun.
Pass it along.
The poster can be downloaded at genetionary.org/dna-day
Genomic science is incredibly
complex. But there’s one simple fact that’s not shared often enough: our DNA
connects us to every other living thing on this planet.
I was going to wait until DNA Day (April 25th) to
release this fun (and free) little introduction to deoxyribonucleic acid and
genomic science. However, some educators,
certified genetic counselors, and friends convinced me to make it available
ahead of the day so it could be incorporated into lessons plans, events, etc.
So here it is. Download it, print it, and color it. And please be sure to share
the link with anyone who you think might benefit from learning a little more
about the tiny thin thread that connects us all.
To download the PDF of the book, go to www.genetionary.org/DNA
It’s for ages 8 to adults. Adults? Yes, because, sadly, I have encountered too many grown-ups in my hereditary cancer advocacy who are genomically clueless.
This week is National Library Week. And today is Right To Read Day with the theme Drawn To Freedom. I created this artwork as a multi-published book illustrator. It was drawn to express my support for librarians (I was a library substitute for all the schools in one school district for a while, BTW), libraries, and the freedoms they provide and protect.
I appreciate being invited to participate by Unite Against Book Bans and as a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Today is Vincent van Gogh’s 172nd birthday. Seems everybody loves van Gogh, but few can pronounce his Dutch name correctly. And even fewer know that nobody really cared about him or his work when he was alive. The poor man died heartbroken and impoverished. You can count on a couple fingers the number of paintings he sold in his life. It wasn’t until his late brother’s widow started actively promoting Vincent’s work years after Vincent’s death that anyone took notice.
Family tree? Think again. And your heritage is likely far more diverse that you imagine. March 8th is Genealogy Day, so here’s a little math exercise for you ahead of the day.
After doing the math, think of all the cousins you have. (I just might be a distant cousin.)
I know that I have millions and millions of distant genetic cousins because of my DNA markers and all the genealogical research others have done on some my more notable ancestors. (Especially some ancestors who were clueless seasick sectarian passengers on a crappy off-course cargo ship in 1620.) Then add in my Native American ancestors who had lived in the “New World” for thousands of years, plus all my other ancestors from Scotland, Ireland, Germany, France, Scandinavia, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and Brazil. And then there are my Neanderthal ancestors to count.
What’s your genetic heritage? And did you know that genealogy can help in preventing hereditary cancer?
Knowledge is power. Nobody should die of a preventable cancer. Nobody!
Download a free Family Health/Cancer History Pedigree at www.genetionary.org
Knowing and sharing your family's health history with your health care providers and your family (children, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and first and second cousins) can be life-saving.