[PW] ? DNA question

[Adrian Smith]

The most familiar cases with 3 strands (trisomy) of DNA are Down
Syndrome. The "Professor" may have encountered a student with "Jacob
Syndrome" or another where the trisomy affects the X and Y chromosomes.
The teacher seems to be out of line but the patron and parent(s) could
check books on the elements of human genetics, or talk to their doctor
to reasuure themselves.

Adrian Smith
UK

-----Original Message-----
From: project-wombat-fm-bounces at lists.project-wombat.org
[mailto:project-wombat-fm-bounces at lists.project-wombat.org] On Behalf Of
Mary Barna
Sent: 13 January 2008 00:22
To: Project Wombat
Subject: [PW] ? DNA question

A patron had a second-hand question that she would like clarification
on.  I will try to explain it to the best of my ability.  She said that
her sister, in a college class, had a DNA sample taken.  When the
results were in, the Professor made a crack in front of the class that
her DNA had one female strand and two male strands (or lines?) and she
should "go home and talk to your mother."  The kid was devastated, since
her parents divorced partly because her father was not sure if he was
her father. (He is!)

The implication, that mom had sex with two guys that impregnated her one
egg, doesn't seem legit to me.  I have heard of fraternal twins having
different parents, but could this be a fact in this case?  It's an odd
question, I know.

******************************************************
Mary Barna, Director
Valley Community Library
739 River Street
Peckville, PA  18452
phone (570) 489-1765  fax (570) 383-9657 email -- mbarna at albright.org
webpage -- www.lackawannacountylibrarysystem.org/valley
 
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