A Nevada man was shocked to learn that a bone marrow transplant he received actually changed his DNA and replaced it with that of his German donor.
Chris Long of Reno is currently in remission from acute myeloid leukemia. Three months after his bone marrow transplant operation, he discovered that the DNA in his blood had changed. Four years later, he also discovered parts of his tongue, cheeks and lips contained his donor’s DNA as well. His head and chest hair were the only parts not affected. Perhaps even more concerningly, all of the DNA in his semen actually belonged to his donor.
This means he’s actually a chimera, as he has two sets of DNA.
Long works at the Washoe County Sheriff’s Department, where his colleagues couldn’t believe that he could essentially disappear and someone else could take his place, so to speak. Although one colleague had encouraged him to test his blood to see what changes might occur, the extent of it was surprising.
A criminalist at the sheriff’s office, Darby Stienmetz, was quoted by the New York Times as saying, “We were kind of shocked that Chris was no longer present at all.”
DNA changes from bone marrow transplants can affect criminal cases
Although the procedure is said not to change a person’s personality, there can be a lot of repercussions of having your DNA change. In fact, some criminal cases have already been affected by this phenomenon.
For example, when a DNA profile that was extracted from semen involved in a sexual assault matched a potential suspect in a criminal DNA database in Alaska in 2004, it was traced to a man who was actually in prison at the time the assault took place. It was discovered that the man had received a bone marrow transplant from his brother, who was eventually convicted of the crime.
In another case, police investigators had been skeptical of a sexual assault victim because she claimed she had been attacked by one man but the DNA analysis showed there were two; it was later discovered the second profile was that of her bone marrow donor.
When you consider the fact that tens of thousands of individuals undergo such transplants each year for leukemia, sickle cell anemia, lymphoma, and blood cancers, there is a lot of possibility for things to go wrong. Any of these people could commit a crime – or be the victim of one – and there could be some life-changing confusion if DNA tests are relied upon.
Long’s case was presented at an international conference for forensic science this fall. Criminal investigators generally work on the assumption that victims and perpetrators leave behind a single DNA code through which they can be identified, and yet these people actually have two, and one could well belong to someone who had no involvement in the incident.
And it’s not just bone marrow transplants that we need to be concerned about. For example, we know that aborted human fetal tissue is used in vaccines; could this change the DNA of the people receiving the vaccines?
There’s also the question of what would happen if someone like Long had a baby; would his children get the genes of his German donor?
Although Long is very grateful to have received the donation and plans to travel to Germany to thank his donor in person, this story raises a lot of interesting questions about DNA and human identity.
Cassie B.
Sources for this article include:
DailyMail.co.uk
NYTimes.com
Related Posts
Published by dreddymd
Dr Eddy Bettermann MD focus on Biological Medicine (Biologische Medizin) #Biological #Medicine #videos http://bit.ly/2LF3Ro3, Darkfield Microscopy (Dunkelfeld Mikroskopie), Orthomolecular Medicine (Orthomolekulare Medizin), Ayurvedic Medicine (Ayurveda), Psychosomatic Medicine (Psychosomatische Medizin), raw food (Rohkost), fasting (Fasten):
Our primary integrative medicine goal is the maintenance of your health and wellness, and we are committed to safe and effective healthcare.
Our specialties include online integrative medicine education by alternative doctor: food and allergy management through the use of Integrative medical therapy, Environmental Medicine, General Family Medicine, Ayurveda, Panchakarma, Chronic Fatigue, ADHD, autism, Fibromyalgia, Yeast/Fungus related diseases – Candidacies, mercury dental replacement and detoxification, Natural Thyroid Replacement, Weight loss, Lyme Disease, Irritable Bowel Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Addiction related programs, Intestinal Dysbiosis, as well as trigger point therapy using Neural Therapy.
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD, physician from Germany, consultant and teacher in biological medicine, especially dark field microscopy known as Live Blood Analysis in Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines. But he lecture also in the USA, Canada and the U.A.E. He speaks english and german.
https://dreddymd.com/2017/01/17/the-interactive-live-blood-cd-and-the-certified-training-live-blood-analysis-online-course/
https://dreddymd.com/courses/
https://dreddymd.com/2017/01/17/live-blood-microscopy-analysis-darkfield-course/
“Let thy Food be thy Medicine and thy Medicine be thy Food.” — Hippocrates
Physician Member of the Medical Board at AOX Singapore,
Medical Doctor at Nurse Mobile Clinic and
Physician at DrEddy Clinic
Our Mission:
The mission of the Integrative Medicine is to search for the most effective treatments for patients by combining both conventional and alternative approaches that address all aspects of health and wellness – biological, psychological, social and spiritual. Biological Medicine is a big part of my work and so is Dark field Microscopy, what I use in my daily practice and what I teach more then 15 years in Asia and around the world: Live Blood Analysis in dark field based on Haematology.
We utilize Live blood analysis since 2004, conventional as well as specialty laboratories for a thorough diagnostic work up of the disease in question. Our integrative medicine treatment regimens are especially unique and are tailored specifically to the individual needs of each patient.
Our Mission: don’t harm, prevent, use food as medicine
We are a reliable partner for integrative medicine in Medical Spa & Clinic Development and integrative medicine Education Training for alternative doctors – we bring different holistic approaches, like Integrative Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda Medicine together. On your request we offer our service in your place as well.
Heavy metal poisoning
Heavy metal poisoning is much more common than most people realize, and if you’re thinking that it doesn’t apply to you because you haven’t been exposed to any, think again. If you’ve eaten fish regularly, had amalgam fillings, received vaccinations, drank contaminated water, or done industrial or agricultural work or pharmaceutical manufacturing, there’s a good chance that you have a fair amount of toxic metals in your system..
We are here to help and to educate!
Wishing your health and happiness
Dr Eddy Bettermann MD
We are affiliated The Wellness Company https://bit.ly/3V726zc
The Wellness Company Coupon for membership, supplements, doctor appointment, online consultation https://bit.ly/3V5NsIy
DrEddyClinic is affiliate of Amazon and get commission for the products, which we recommend https://www.amazon.com/shop/dreddyclinic , same as GlobalHealing https://dreddymd.com/shop/supplements/
View all posts by dreddymd
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 