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When is National DNA Day?

April 25th is National DNA Day.

What is National DNA Day?

Call it deoxyribonucleic acid if you like, but we’ll know what you mean if you just say DNA. National DNA Day celebrates the discovery of DNA and the continued research that unlocks the mysteries of human genetics.

Why April 25th? It’s a big day for DNA. It was the day Watson and Crick published their work detailing the structure of DNA in 1953. And in 2003, April 25th was the day the Human Genome Project finished its work of mapping the nucleotides that make our DNA.

DNA is complex. There are 3 million base pairs in our DNA, but only 3% is genetic. The rest controls the genetic activity (like a really top-heavy management structure in a business). Our understanding of the genome may one day help doctors anticipate and prevent chronic health problems. Genetics is fascinating, and DNA Day is a great day to start learning.

Fun facts about National DNA Day!

  • Only 0.1% of our DNA is unique. The other 99.9% is the same across the entire human species.
  • Between 40% and 50% of our DNA is the same as cabbage DNA.
  • There are ancient viruses lying dormant in our DNA. They make up about 8% of the genome.
  • Human Genome Project got exceptionally close to mapping the entire human genome. Tiny gaps remain, but they were deemed too expensive to pursue.
  • The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives declared a one-time DNA Day on April 25th, 2003, but the National Human Genome Research Institute has kept the celebration going annually.

How to celebrate National DNA Day:

  • Attend a DNA event. Learn about DNA and the human genome. Find out how this affects our understanding of the human body, genetics, and medicine.
  • Buy a DNA kit to learn more about your genealogy and family history.

What’s the hashtag for National DNA Day?

Celebrate genetic mapping on social media by using #DNADay.