Astronaut's DNA no longer matches that of his identical twin

[LowRyter]

Just got this on CNN. 

Spending a year in space not only changes your outlook, it transforms your genes.

Preliminary results from NASA's Twins Study reveal that 7% of astronaut Scott Kelly's genes did not return to normal after his return to Earth two years ago.

The study looks at what happened to Kelly before, during and after he spent one year aboard the International Space Station through an extensive comparison with his identical twin, Mark, who remained on Earth.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/14/health/scott-kelly-dna-nasa-twins-study/index.html

[fotoguzzi]

fascinating!

[yogidozer]

how do they know he's not a doppelgänger? 

[Guzzi Gal]

:1: Epigenetics in space!   

[Huzo]

Because due to the extreme velocities and distance travelled by the Astronaut, the two were not conceived at the same time in relation to today due to stretching of space-time ????

[Darren Williams]

So, reading the article, it said that his genes changed from environmental stresses placed on his body through the space activity. How would this be different if one twin spent a year stranded on a deserted island with sparse food and water verses the other living normally? I got that basically the extremes he endured changed or "damaged" his RNA and DNA structure and it only partially came back to normal on his return. It was almost akin to extreme aging maybe?

Interesting but not really surprising.

[Sasquatch Jim]

 I wonder if that means his kids will be Alien halfbreeds?

[bad Chad]

Our solar system is under intense constant bombardment from solar radiation coming from our sun, and on occasion other sources.    This radiation is a major concern for living things operating in space.  Radiation shielding to protect humans/life as well as electronics is a major factor when designing spacecraft.  However, as good as our attempts to shield against cosmic radiation are, the longer one spends in space, the more damage is done to DNA.

On earth our atmosphere and magnetic field go a very long way by filtering and diverting cosmic radiation.   

[Shorty]

I'm wondering how this will effect treatment for cancer, etc.? Send me up there, I'll come back with a new liver and perhaps other fun improvements....    

[yogidozer]

Our solar system is under intense constant bombardment from solar radiation coming from our sun, and on occasion other sources.    This radiation is a major concern for living things operating in space.  Radiation shielding to protect humans/life as well as electronics is a major factor when designing spacecraft.  However, as good as our attempts to shield against cosmic radiation are, the longer one spends in space, the more damage is done to DNA.

On earth our atmosphere and magnetic field go a very long way by filtering and diverting cosmic radiation.

explains why he glows in the dark 

[LowRyter]

So, reading the article, it said that his genes changed from environmental stresses placed on his body through the space activity. How would this be different if one twin spent a year stranded on a deserted island with sparse food and water verses the other living normally? I got that basically the extremes he endured changed or "damaged" his RNA and DNA structure and it only partially came back to normal on his return. It was almost akin to extreme aging maybe?

Interesting but not really surprising.

And some of it was attributed to the mechanics of the space station environment that resulted in oxygen deprivation. 

[cloudbase]

Mark is a Kings Pointer, and somewhat normal.
Scott is a Domer, and most assuredly abnormal.

[LowRyter]

Mark is a Kings Pointer, and somewhat normal.
Scott is a Domer, and most assuredly abnormal.

I assume that is Navy speak? Maybe you could elucidate? 

[cloudbase]

Kings Point is the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located on the north shore of Long Island just outside of Great Neck.
Domers are students/graduates of the State University of New York Maritime College, located just across Long Island Sound in the South Bronx.  Both produce Merchant Marine officers.

Given the location, there's a fair bit of rivalry.
I'm one of the somewhat normal ones, but not everyone might agree.

[lucian]

Scott Kelly is an amazing man and a true American hero. I have always thought he should receive our highest  congressional award for his contribution to science and exploration.  Hopefully before he morfs into a cyborg.

[Sasquatch Jim]

  I think he got probed while he was up there.

[bad Chad]

Isn't that what we all hope for when being abducted?

[Triple Jim]

His "genetic expression" changed, but not the actual genetic coding:

Though Scott Kelly's genetic expression changed, he and Mark are still identical. Changes in gene expression are how the human body reacts to the environment.

[Sasquatch Jim]

 How about the expression on his face?

[guzzisteve]

I wonder if that means his kids will be Alien halfbreeds?

I'm wondering why they haven't conceived a baby in space yet, maybe the Russians will do it.

[LowRyter]

His "genetic expression" changed, but not the actual genetic coding:

Can you offer a little more explanation here so that some us less versed in this will understand?

thnx

[Triple Jim]

I just searched a little about this subject and found an article that I quoted a sentence from.   I'm not versed, but it seemed unlikely that a persons genetic coding would be altered like that.  Here's the article:

https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/14/health/scott-kelly-dna-nasa-twins-study/index.html

[LowRyter]

thanks Jim,  I think I posted that to begin with.

[Triple Jim]

Oh... ha...there were a couple search results I read, but they all said about the same thing.  Funny I picked the one you posted in the first place to use in my last post.  I didn't check.  :)

[kingoffleece]

Therre's a good explanation in today's Washington Post on this.  Not as dramatic as the headlines made it seem.

[Triple Jim]

Therre's a good explanation in today's Washington Post on this.  Not as dramatic as the headlines made it seem.

Yes, that article does explain it fairly well:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2018/03/16/the-truth-about-astronaut-scott-kellys-viral-space-genes/?utm_term=.b6f0a748184f

[LowRyter]

Not a subscriber to the Wash Post 

[Triple Jim]

Neither am I, but I posted a link to the article above.

[rodekyll]

It's not really news, except to the reporter, who evidently never had a suntan or went anywhere or read anything before becoming gobsmacked by the concept of bodies adapting to changes.  Environmental changes change DNA.  No big revelation.  Back in the 70s we were studying the genetic changes caused by altitude.  Indigenous people who lived at the base of the Andes were compared to blood relatives who had been migrating up the mountains for many generations.  It was found that their genetics reacted to the altitude by increasing chest and lung capacity, and by absorbing and using oxygen differently.  The study followed folks who had then descended the mountains and saw their genes adapt back to lower altitude "norms."

[Lannis]

Not a subscriber to the Wash Post 

First CNN, now the WaPo?  The guys who can't get anything right .... ?   

Think I'll wait for the Guardian take on it ...