If you (a human) were cloned, would your clone look exactly like you? [more inside]
posted by orrnyereg on Oct 13, 2009 - 26 answers

"The DNA of humans and chimps is 98.4% identical." I've read that several places. I've also read "The DNA of all living things is 90% identical" and "The DNA of humans and lettuce is 16% identical." How could I find out which of those last two statements is correct? Or is the problem that I don't understand which part of the DNA is being referred to? (Frankly, I'm not that clear on DNA in the first place - I'd just like the right number.)
posted by kestralwing on Dec 31, 2008 - 14 answers

Help me find a video/article about a race experiment. [more inside]
posted by GrooveStix on Jul 6, 2008 - 2 answers

Would it be worthwhile to preserve a sample of my parents' DNA, with their permission, in case I ever need it for genetic testing of myself or my family? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 26, 2008 - 9 answers

Are there any studies, past or present, devoted to the idea of deriving precise time of either conception or birth from DNA analysis? For conception, I can imagine a science fiction author describing a rhythmic pattern or pulse emitted by something in the DNA whose beats are somehow recorded somewhere, like the veritable second hand of a clock. For birth time I'm a little fuzzier on the possibilities, but one idea that occurred to me was the studying the effects of direct light (sun or artificial) on a baby's chromosomes when exposed for the first time (not counting any rays that might penetrate the womb through the mother). There is also the telomere clock to consider, about which I know very little.
posted by christopherious on Dec 12, 2007 - 16 answers

Gag gift for the head of a major genetics department, any ideas? [more inside]
posted by greatgefilte on Nov 27, 2007 - 21 answers

I just received my results from the Genographic Project and they are confusing. Can someone explain my mitochondrial DNA to me? [more inside]
posted by scazza on Jul 14, 2005 - 14 answers

How do cells form various shapes? [more inside]
posted by delmoi on Jul 13, 2005 - 10 answers