{"id":7379,"date":"2026-04-24T07:28:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T12:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/alliedhealth\/?p=7379"},"modified":"2026-04-21T10:33:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T15:33:06","slug":"national-dna-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/alliedhealth\/2026\/04\/24\/national-dna-day\/","title":{"rendered":"National DNA Day"},"content":{"rendered":"
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by Halley Stewart and Anna Wilwerding, 2nd-year genetic counseling students<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is National DNA Day?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

National DNA Day is celebrated on April 25th each year. It was established in 2003 by the United States Congress to celebrate the completion of the Human Genome Project and the anniversary of the discovery of the DNA double helix. The mission behind National DNA Day is: \u201cTo mobilize, energize and empower communities, educators and students to innovate, collaborate and discover the promise of our shared humanity and connection to the natural world.\u201d This day is a time to commemorate the past and all we have learned thus far, as well as look to the future and explore all that is still to be learned about human genetics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DNA 101<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DNA is our body’s genetic instruction manual. This two stranded molecule spirals and twists into a double helix composed of sugars, phosphate groups, and four bases, adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T). Unique combinations of As, Ts, Cs and Gs form our genetic code, telling our cells how to grow, develop, and function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everybody has 20,000+ genes working together to determine who we are. Changes in DNA make each person unique, and while we all have differences in our DNA, over 99.9% of our DNA is identical to everyone around us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Little History Lesson: Discover of DNA and The Human Genome Project<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rosalind Franklin captured the helical (or spiral) structure of DNA via X-ray imaging, now famously known as \u201cPhoto 51.\u201d This provided information that led to the publishing of the double-helix model by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953. Watson and Crick were awarded with the Nobel Prize for their discovery in 1962, but Franklin was not included due to her death and the primarily male-dominated scientific community at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The discovery of DNA led to a strong emergence of scientific interest in human genetics. The Human Genome Project was a monumental and international effort. The project began in 1990 and was completed in 2003, around 50 years after the discovery of DNA. Its goal was to sequence the human genome (all of the DNA), essentially creating a human genetics blueprint. The Human Genome Project was a major driver of expanded genetic access and has significantly improved the practice of healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ways to Get Involved:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Human Genome Research Institute provides lots of FREE ideas for how to get involved on National DNA Day: https:\/\/www.genome.gov\/dna-day\/get-activity-ideas. Our favorites are creating sequence bracelets and making candy DNA models! Tag us on instagram as you get involved: @unmc.gcprogram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also reach out to your representatives and encourage them to support the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act, H.R. 6280! This is a bill heading to congress which, if approved, will recognize genetic counselors as providers under Medicaid, drastically increasing access and availability of genetic healthcare. To support, contact your representatives directly, or use the template<\/a> provided by the National Society of Genetic Counselors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to Learn More?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For kiddos:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n