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Field
Genetics
Learn how DNA is passed down and how variation in genes shapes traits and health.
What this field studies
Genetics connects a sequence of DNA letters to the traits we can see and measure. Researchers compare families, twins and very large populations to understand inheritance and how genes and environment work together.
Questions researchers are asking
- Why do some diseases run in families while others don't?
- How can we estimate how much a trait is influenced by genes?
- What can genome-wide studies tell us about disease risk — and what can't they?
- How do new genetic variants arise and spread?