FROM GENES TO IDENTITY: HOW DNA SHAPES WHO WE ARE

* DNA is life’s master blueprint, holding the instructions for everything from your eye colour to how your body grows and heals
* Your entire DNA, if uncoiled, could stretch across the Solar System twice, yet it fits into microscopic cells through incredible coiling
* DNA testing has become easy and widespread in Pakistan, with labs offering health and relationship tests at varying prices
* Privacy risks loom over online DNA tests, as sensitive genetic data can be hacked, stored overseas, or misused - like in the 23andMe data breach
* Despite popular belief, Genghis Khan didn’t father half of Asia - the widespread Y-chromosome predates him and tells a much older genetic tale

Mahtab Bashir
ISLAMABAD

+92 333 53 63 248

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the essential molecule that carries the genetic instructions needed for the development, function, growth, and reproduction of all known living organisms. It acts as the hereditary material, meaning it is passed from parents to their offspring and carries the information that determines how an organism looks and functions. In humans and most other organisms, DNA is found inside the nucleus of cells and is organised into structures called chromosomes.

Structure and Function of DNA

DNA is made up of two long strands that twist around each other in the shape of a double helix, similar to a twisted ladder. Each strand is made of smaller units called nucleotides, which include a sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four chemical bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). These bases pair in specific ways- A with T, and G with C - forming the "rungs" of the ladder.

The unique sequence of these bases creates a genetic code that gives instructions for making proteins, which are complex molecules that carry out nearly all functions in the body. Segments of DNA called genes are the specific parts of this code responsible for building different proteins.

DNA: A Tiny String with a Giant Story

Inside every cell of your body, there’s a tiny control centre called the nucleus and hidden inside that is your DNA. This amazing molecule carries the instructions that make you YOU! But here’s the twist (literally): DNA is a very long, twisty strand, about 2 meters long in just one cell. So how does it all fit?

Imagine holding a piece of string. Now start twisting it. As you keep twisting, the string begins to curl up into loops, then loops of loops, and soon it becomes a super-tangled, coiled-up bundle. That’s exactly what happens with your DNA. It doesn’t just twist into a helix (like a spiral staircase), it coils again and again and again, until it fits neatly into 46 tiny packages called chromosomes inside the nucleus, which is only 6 microns wide (that’s smaller than a red blood cell!).

This super-tight packing is done with the help of special proteins and enzymes that work like expert organisers. Even though it’s packed so small, if you stretched out all the DNA from just one of your cells, it would be about 2 meters long - taller than most people! And if you added up all the DNA from every cell in your body, it would stretch so far it could go across the Solar System and back - twice! That's the incredible power of the tiniest blueprint in your body.

Why is DNA Important?

DNA is crucial for several reasons. First, it is the material of inheritance. It ensures that traits are passed from one generation to the next, maintaining the continuity of life. Second, DNA controls cellular function by providing the exact instructions for building proteins, which play vital roles in everything from muscle movement to hormone production. Third, it determines individual traits such as eye colour, height, and even the risk of developing certain diseases.

Each person’s DNA sequence is unique, making it a personal blueprint that defines their identity. Finally, DNA plays a key role in evolution. Through changes and mutations over generations, DNA allows species to adapt and evolve, making it the foundation of life’s diversity on Earth.

How a DNA Test Works: A Journey from Cheek to Code

A DNA test begins with a simple act - collecting a sample from your body. This can be as easy as gently rubbing a cotton swab inside your cheek to gather some cells, or it may involve drawing a small amount of blood from your arm. In some cases, samples might come from saliva, hair, skin, or even amniotic fluid during pregnancy. For cancer-related testing, DNA is often taken directly from a tumour removed during a biopsy.

Once the sample is collected, it’s sent off to a specialised laboratory where the real magic happens. Scientists use chemical processes to carefully extract the DNA from your cells, like pulling the thread of a story out of a complex book. With advanced tools, lab technicians then zoom in on your genes and chromosomes, scanning for tiny changes or "spelling mistakes" in the DNA - known as mutations. These changes can reveal a lot: whether someone is at risk for a genetic condition, whether a disease is present, or even confirm biological relationships like paternity.

When the analysis is complete, the lab prepares a report and sends it to your doctor or directly to you, depending on your request. These results can be incredibly valuable - not just for understanding health risks or diagnosing conditions, but also for unlocking family connections and discovering what makes your genetic story uniquely yours.

Getting a DNA Test in Pakistan: Where to Go and What It Costs

If you're looking to take a DNA test in Pakistan, you’ll find several trusted labs and providers offering services in major cities like Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and even Quetta. Accredited labs such as Genetrack Pakistan and Chughtai Lab are among the leading names, offering a range of genetic and relationship testing options to meet different needs - from health screenings to paternity verification.

Genetrack Pakistan is popular for family-related tests such as paternity and sibling DNA checks, while Chughtai Lab, a nationwide diagnostic centre, provides advanced genetic services, including cancer risk screening like the BRCA 1/2 analysis. DNA Worldwide and AlphaBiolabs are international providers with service points in Pakistan, often specialising in immigration-related DNA testing. If your test is for immigration purposes, the U.S. Embassy may guide you through specific approved channels.

Prices can vary widely depending on the type of test and the lab. For example, a DNA paternity test from Genetrack Pakistan costs around PKR 41,330, while a sibling test is priced at PKR 62,630. Chughtai Lab’s BRCA genetic test, which assesses breast cancer risk, is about PKR 90,000. Other services, like a twin zygosity test at dnatellsall.com, may charge an extra PKR 21,500 for additional participants.

Whether you're confirming family ties or checking your health risks, DNA testing in Pakistan is accessible, with flexible options and varying price points depending on what you're looking for.

Can hackers hack DNA?

Buying a DNA test online has become easy and popular, thanks to the rise of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing companies like 23andMe and Ancestry. These services offer insights into ancestry, health risks, and family connections by analysing a saliva or cheek swab sample. However, this convenience comes with serious concerns. DNA data is permanent and deeply personal - once shared, it can’t be changed or taken back. Storing this sensitive information digitally raises major privacy risks, not only for the individual but for their family members as well.

There are also concerns about unclear privacy policies, weak contracts, and the way companies store and use genetic data, sometimes across borders and for commercial partnerships. A recent example of these dangers is the massive 2023 data breach at 23andMe, where hackers accessed and targeted nearly 7 million users, with racial profiling and dark web data sales involved. This breach triggered multiple lawsuits and highlighted the lack of proper oversight in the industry.

The urges consumers to think carefully before purchasing DNA tests and calls for stronger international rules, better data protection, and clearer contracts to safeguard users. An animated public awareness video and related research aim to inform people of the risks and push for fairer, more secure practices in this fast-growing field.

Scientists Prove DNA Can Carry Malware and Hack Computers

The next cyber security threat could come from DNA. This is no sci-fi fantasy, but the findings of new research presented at the 26th USENIX Security Symposium in Vancouver, Canada. For the first time, researchers have shown that it's possible to encode malware in DNA and take control of a sequencing machine as it sequences the DNA strands. Although the average hacker wouldn't be able to launch such an attack, DNA-encoded cyber threats might become more likely as sequencing becomes cheaper and more popular, the scientists say.

Debunking the Myth: No, 50% of Men Aren’t Descended from Genghis Khan

The popular claim that half of all men are descendants of Genghis Khan may sound epic - but it’s a big misunderstanding of genetics. While it's true that scientists discovered a certain Y-chromosome lineage spread widely across Asia, this doesn’t mean Genghis Khan fathered half the continent. In fact, the lineage in question is much older than Khan himself, dating back around 2,600 years - nearly a thousand years before the famous Mongol leader was even born.

Why the 50% Story Falls Apart

At the heart of the confusion is a shared Y chromosome found in many men across Central Asia. Originally, some believed this genetic signature came directly from Genghis Khan due to its rapid spread - but further analysis showed that the lineage was already common long before his rise. It likely belonged to an ancient ancestor of all Mongolic-speaking peoples, spreading through migration, trade, and intermixing along the Silk Road, not solely through the conquests of one man.

There’s also no direct genealogical proof that this chromosome belonged to Genghis Khan or his known descendants. So far, none of the men carrying it today can trace their family tree back to the emperor himself.

What the DNA Really Tells Us

One well-known genetic study found that about 8% of men living in regions once ruled by the Mongol Empire share a similar Y chromosome, which equates to roughly 16 million men today. This dramatic spread is believed to be tied to the social structure, conquests, and dynastic power of the Mongol Empire. Still, while Genghis Khan’s family certainly influenced history (and genetics), this Y-chromosome lineage is not uniquely his, but a relic of a much older and broader genetic story written long before his time.

In short, the claim makes for a great headline, but the truth is far more ancient - and far more complex.

Mahtab Bashir, an independent blogger and a nature enthusiast, can be accessed at mahtabbashir@gmail.com