Genomics Experts to Sandhill Road: Shut Up About Your DNA

If you're sick of hearing what's "in the DNA" of new Web 2.0 startups, imagine how it is for people who know how genomes really work. Paul Andrews, a genomics researcher, says pop culture uses of the term "in my DNA" have gotten out of control and are teaching people bad science. In a spot-on essay for LabLit, Andrews tells people to stop pretending their DNA has anything to do with the music they like, their religions, their urges to shop, and their obsessions with knitting.

Andrews grouses that "To some people, the fact that they like, say, the Red Sox, or rabbits or Rodin, is apparently genetically encoded." Though genes do account for some behaviors, that doesn't mean we should blame DNA for everything:

Nurture’s role in some of these sorts of traits and characteristics, asopposed to nature’s, is likely to be prominent – in other words, DNA
may have nothing to do with many things. And technically, even if it was possible to epigenetically modify the genome to confer the love of Fray Bentos Steak and Kidney Pies, it would be on my DNA, not in my DNA. But that doesn’t sound as good, does it?

Then he does a quick search on Google for the phrase "in my DNA," and comes up with some howlers, such as:

The aroma of newness, as always, was intoxicating, triggering memories of product-buying stored like hidden seeds in my DNA strings.

To this I would add:

A glance at Sun's board of directors -- which includes former SEC chief accountant Lynn Turner -- confirmsFarrell's claim that a commitment to governance and compliance residesin the company's DNA.

As Andrews says, "Next time you hear someone say something silly like “in my DNA”, pokethem with a sharp stick and ask them politely to go incentivize theirportals and strategize turnkey initiatives to deliver viralpartnerships." Couldn't have said it better myself.

Playing fast and loose with genetic truth [via LabLit] (Image from Bathsheba Grossman.)