interesting post

[Auders]

just read the link about the lady who nearly lost her own children due to DNA. It was an absolutely fascinating read, sorry couldn’t find the link again. It was all down to getting DNA from a removed thyroid nodule, a chimera.

[humanbean]

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Ellie-Louise in reply to humanbean]

That’s incredible, I hadn’t seen it before either. Thank you for the link.

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

that’s very interesting. Poor woman though the stress she went through 🦋

[helvella Administrator]

Thing is, chimerism is a well-known possibility.

The Wiki article (which is only a small snapshot) makes it very clear there have been some cases over the years.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chime...

And we must not ignore the possible impact of mosaicism.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosai...

The extremely simplified impression of genetics that most of us have works well much of the time. Hence, exceptions seem to be major surprises. But that says more about our ways of educating, documenting and discussing genetic issues than the reality.

I do remember finding out about the possibilities of chimerism and mosaicism, quite likely triggered by one the the cases that was reported, and realising some of the issues implied. (Mind, I had not realised the possibility of having two blood groups as is mentioned!)

[Auders in reply to helvella]

Thanks for that Helvella. Such fascinating topics, I had heard of chimera but not of mosaicism. Find it totally mind boggling really, although it is also terrifying as in the case of the two Mums mentioned in the article. A bit more to add to my ever growing reading topics 🙏

[helvella Administrator in reply to Auders]

I wouldn't expect any individual outside the field to know.

But I'd include police, lawyers, judges and forensic scientists among those who need to be aware that DNA evidence needs to be properly considered.

After all, even the lowliest rookie PC or PCSO should have been told that interpretation isn't always as obvious as it might appear. A single case story should be enough to make them realise. This is needed to protect them and everyone they deal with from unfair and incorrect assumption.

[Auders in reply to helvella]

Absolutely