What Is DNA?

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a nucleic acid present in the cells of all living organisms and is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA.

The information that DNA contains is passed from one generation to the next. There is much debate over how much of what we are like is due to inheritance and defined by our DNA, and how much is defined by the influence of the environment. This is sometimes referred to as the 'nature/nurture' debate.

Using gene technology, DNA can be modified or transferred from one organism to another. Genes are made up of short lengths of DNA and modern gene technology is able to make changes at the level of individual genes.