Eye on DNA Interview: Dr. Tzung-Fu Hsieh of RedTracer DNA Test for the Red Hair Gene, MC1R

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted January 26, 2009 in DNA in General

In a world where parents can test their children for genetically-endowed academic and sports ability, no DNA test should come as a surprise. One of the most recent genetic testing product to be introduced is the RedTracer DNA Test at MyRedHairGene.com. For $119, an individual sample of DNAcan be tested for variants of the red hair gene, MC1R. For an analysis of two samples, the price is $214. I recently had the chance to interview Dr. Tzung-Fu Hsieh about RedTracer DNA.

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Dr. Tzung-Fu Hsieh: First off I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to talk about our new genetic test. We hope that this kind of fun genetics test will help people learn a little bit about themselves and get them excited about their genetics and genetics in general.

Hsien: What is the company’s motivation for offering the RedTracer DNA test?

Tzung-Fu: We were first introduced to MC1R gene variants and their association with red hair color by Dr. Barry Starr from the Tech Museum of Innovation at San Jose a few years ago. Back then, Dr. Starr was interested in a possible public project for looking at the diversity of MC1R gene variations among museum visitors in a classroom setting as a mean to bring awareness of genetic diversity to grade schoolers. The MC1R gene is a perfect marker because of its unusually high diversity and association with hair and skin colors. Even though the project did not materialize due to some logistical and budgetary issues, we kept the project going by analyzing several carrier families as well as performing occasional requests for such services. 

Many parents became aware of and got interested in red hair biology after having a redheaded baby. Similarly, Dr. Starr’s interest in the MC1R gene came about because one of his three children is a redhead. Our testing analyses confirmed that both he and his wife carry a red hair causing variant of the MC1R gene. Through this collaboration, we started getting requests from people who wanted to know if they inherited the red hair trait, what might be the chance of having a redheaded baby, etc. So we’ve known for awhile that some people were looking for such a service. We have the skill and resources to provide this service and we hope that by offering this test, we can draw people’s interests to general genetics.

Hsien: What are some medical implications for knowing whether a person is a carrier of the MC1R gene?

Tzung-Fu: You bring up a great point with this question. We all know about the dangers of skin cancer for people with fair skin that burns but doesn’t tan. What a lot of people don’t know is that being a carrier of a red variant of the MC1R gene can increase the risk for skin cancer even if the carrier has darker skin. One theory is that the increased risk happens because free radicals are made when sunlight hits the pigment responsible for red hair (phomelanin). These free radicals go on to damage DNA and ultimately cause cancer.

Hsien: In some parts of the world, redheads are discriminated against. Do you think some people might misuse the RedTracer DNA test? 

Tzung-Fu: People with red hair are discriminated in some places although at least here in the U.S., this discrimination has been disappearing rapidly. I am not sure how people might misuse this test against someone. No discrimination that I know of is state-based so it is unlikely to be used by governments as a skin color test might have been used in apartheid era in South Africa.

In fact, there are groups who are worried about the eventual extinction of redheads from the world. The risk is overblown as there will probably always be redheads in the world but a test like this might help carriers find each other to have red haired kids.

Hsien: Can you tell us more about the global database the company plans to establish?

Tzung-Fu: There are over 30 different MC1R variants reported so far. Only a handful of them are associated with red hair color. Among the rest, several of them have emerged as possibly ethnic or geographic specific. For example, Arg163Gln variant is present in 70% the East and Southeast Asian populations, but only ~4% in populations among Europeans. We hope a global database will help us accumulate enough data to identify ethnic specific variants and other new red hair causing variants.

We want to make this database freely available to people and other researchers and hope to establish an educational website around it. That way people can use their results and compare them to other people’s and maybe learn a bit about genetics.

Of course, everything will be anonymous and we will destroy DNA samples we get once the tests are completed.

Hsien: How does RedTracer DNA test compare with SNP analysis from other direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies?

Tzung-Fu: Most of the other DTC genetic tests currently available on the market look at a very small number of known SNPs, generally one or two. Other companies that offer whole genome scan analyses (e.g., 23andme, etc) rely on assaying SNPs featured on microchips. Often these chips were designed based on known SNPs listed in public domain (HapMap database, for example). The RedTracer DNA test will give customers 954 base pairs of the coding region of their MC1R gene. Our test will provide definitive information about carrier status and not simply the odds of being a carrier based on a certain SNP. Plus, who wouldn’t want to know what all the 1900 of their MC1R DNA letters look like?

To learn more about the RedTracer DNA Test, visit their website at MyRedHairGene.com.

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On a related note, AskMen.com recently shared this tidbit about red hair:

Redheads may be aliens

There’s a conspiracy theory that redheads are alien-human hybrids. Think about it: Why did several kings and queens of Europe have red hair even though, percentage-wise, redheads are fairly rare? Why do so many Southies have red hair and speak a different language than other Boston locals?

It sounds crazy, but carrottops do have biological differences other than appearance. Redheaded women bleed longer, which is why doctors make special preparations for them in childbirth. They also have the smallest hair count on their heads, about 90,000 as opposed to 140,000 on people with blond and brown hair. That’s why Kick a Ginger Day began, just to keep these possible aliens on their toes.

via Neatorama

Photo credit: i,max on Flickr

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What does DNA mean to you?

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted January 14, 2009 in Meaning of DNA

Before I went on maternity leave, I asked fellow DNA Network members to share their thoughts on what DNA means to them. Here are a few more that I didn’t get around to posting earlier.

Jonathan Eisen of The Tree of Life:

DNA is something to sequence.

Misha Angrist of Genome Boy:

DNA: the last three digits of my cell phone number

(Bunch of smart alecks!)

Reader Khushi:

To me, DNA means a way to Demystify Nature’s Accuracy and the interdependence of the two to unfold the hidden secrets.

What does DNA mean to you? Please share your thoughts in the comments and you may be featured here at Eye on DNA!

Photo credit: Coffee cup cozy from evilsciencechick

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The DNA Network Now on Yahoo! Pipes

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted January 11, 2009 in DNA in General

As I previously mentioned, The DNA Network RSS feed on Feedburner has been b0rked for some time. I just finished entering all the feeds of member blogs into Yahoo! Pipes so you should be able to read everyone’s posts at one go.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to The DNA Network Yahoo! Pipes page

2. Click on List

3. Read as-is or subscribe to the RSS feed

Please let me know if you see anything amiss and I will try my best to fix it!

NB: DNAbloggers.com has also been forwarded to Yahoo! Pipes.

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Outrageous DNA Predictions for 2009

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted January 5, 2009 in DNA in General

For fear of being wrong, most people would stay away from making predictions. But me? I am fearless.

Here’s what I see in 2009. After 2008, the impossible seems possible now!

1. 23andMe will begin selling their tests on drugstore shelves.

2. President Barack Obama will be offered genome sequencing as part of his annual physical examination. (Coincidentally, John Hawks has more on “privacy, politicians, and genetic testing.”)

3. Apple will launch iSEQ - instant DNA testing and analysis in a handheld device complete with apps for social networking, etc.

4. The first 10 participants in the Personal Genome Project will band together to be called Fantastic Ten. Each will reveal secret superpowers that are embedded in their DNA.

5. The U.S. government passes laws to obtain DNA from all its citizens which it says will help protect the innocent and punish criminals.

For a look back at 2008, see my editor’s note in the January 4th issue of KromoNews: Weekly Human Genetics Newsletter.

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Happy New Year 2009!

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted December 29, 2008 in DNA in General

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Mine is to get my act together and become an active participant again in the discussions surrounding genetics and DNA in society (that means blogging more and working more).

There’s a lot to talk about, of course, starting with Suzie Lee’s assertion that DNA testing for “innate talent” worked for her kid.

It worked for my kid. I think you’re just a sore loser Doc that you couldnt profit from the idea or be seen as the first to market the product successfully.

It could change the world and ensure that all parents discover the strengths in their child and channel it properly resulting in no child feeling that he is in capable or a failure.

Grow Up.. the point is to do whatever we can to make sure our future aka our children have a the brightest possible tomorrow and if that means something like DNA testing then whats wrong.

Maybe you should do proper research (www.23andme.com) and understand what amazing developments are happening.

Fantastic. There’s your New Year’s resolution: Get genetic testing and never be a failure again.

Here’s hoping 2009 isn’t one big FAIL for you. Cheers!

see more pwn and owned pictures

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The DNA Network Technical Issues

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted December 18, 2008 in DNA in General

Many people have noticed that several blogs have gone missing from The DNA Network recently. Google has been migrating Feedburner accounts which has led to disrupted network services. Co-founder Ricardo Vidal of My Biotech Life has been working on resolving the issue. We’ll update everyone when the Network and its the RSS feed is fully functional again. Thanks for your patience!

(The main Network page appears to be up-to-date. What’s not being updated is the network feed.)

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Also check out my latest post at ScienceBlogs - How to Prepare for a Bioterrorist Attack.

(>> Start a discussion!)

ScienceBlogs Biotech Blog

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted December 11, 2008 in DNA in General

I’m still around but temporarily guest blogging at What’s new in life science research, a ScienceBlog sponsored by Invitrogen.

Come check out my last two posts:

• 10 Things You Should Know About Cloning (probably better titled, 10 Things I didn’t know about cloning)
• Stem Cell Research: Let’s Go To Asia!

(>> Start a discussion!)

Rule of Thumb on Speeches About Science

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted November 18, 2008 in DNA in General

When giving a public science lecture to a general audience, there will always be one weirdo who asks questions that have nothing to do with your lecture. There will also be one smart-aleck who asks questions to show how smart he is. The faster you silence both of them, the happier your audience will be.

~Submitted by: Jeff Brown, astronomer, Bloomington, Indiana

Which one are you? The weirdo or the smart-aleck?

via Rules of Thumb

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Putting Your DNA To Use In Bad Economic Times

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted November 10, 2008 in DNA in General

An email I just received:

i looked briefly at your site and i was wondering if this is really true and i can donate my dna for money. please email me back and let me know if thats the case and how i can go about doing this. times are very rough now days and im willing to be a guinea pig if i can get help i need.

It can’t be THAT bad yet, can it?

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Singapore Company DNA Dynasty Will (Not) Tell Your Children’s Future

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted November 8, 2008 in Business of DNA, DNA in General

No matter what they say, DNA Dynasty will not and cannot tell you what your “kids (sic) innate talent” is via “DNA discovery.”

National Society of Genetic Counselors President Angela Trepanier would agree. From her interview with Karen Kaplan of the Los Angeles Times:

Should DNA tests be used to test for traits like intelligence, athletic aptitude or artistic talent?

I would not use DNA tests for any of those reasons. All of these traits develop as a result of genetic and environmental factors. So for instance, even if a person has a low genetic aptitude for music, if her parents routinely play music in the house, send her to lessons, take her to concerts, and she is a highly motivated person who does what it takes to accomplish her goals, she may become a concert pianist despite her genetic makeup.

I would not want to use information in any way that could pigeonhole a person’s potential or desires or prevent them from having the same opportunities that others have, and I think that genetic tests for these types of traits could do that.

By the way, doesn’t their company logo look awfully familiar? That’s right, it’s the same “DNA in a test tube” design that Ricardo Vidal made especially for The DNA Network.

For more opinions on DNA Dynasty, see:

• Think Gene
• Sciphu
• Genetic Future
• The Tree of Life
• Blind.Scientist
• Open Reading Frame
• Asiaone Health reports that the “Genetic Discovery Test” costs $1,788 SGD ($1,197 USD).

Update: DNA Dynasty has removed the DNA Network logo from their homepage.

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