The subtitle of my blog “Sunflower Seeds” is this: “Celebrating Everyday Spirituality.” Today I’d like to suggest how even a rudimentary understanding of DNA can affect our everyday spirituality. More than that, it can influence the way we pray and our appreciation of our Creator God. (NOTE: I am no scientist. I welcome comments or clarifications from those of you who have a scientific background.)
First, a few basic facts about DNA. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. (That’s the last time I’m typing that big word in this reflection!) Simply put, DNA is the fundamental molecule that carries the genetic instructions or blueprint for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms. DNA is found in nearly every cell of a living organism. It resides in the nucleus of each cell. DNA looks like a twisted ladder (double helix) and is incredibly dense and compact. Roughly 6 billion pairs of DNA fit inside a nucleus only about 6 micrometers wide. (A micrometer is one-millionth of a meter. To visualize this, a human hair is 50-100 micrometers wide.) If the DNA in a single cell were “unfolded,” it would be about six feet long. Maybe you should be sitting down for this next fact. The average human has 37 trillions cells in his/her body. If all the DNA in all of the cells in your body were “unfolded,” it would stretch 10 billion miles–or to the sun and back hundreds of times!!!! (You may want to take a breath here!)
Footnote: When we watch astronomy movies, we marvel at the big, vast, humongous, enormous, gigantic, super collosal aspects of creation–like the stars and galaxies. “Wow,” we say. “What must God be like?!” So too, when we study things like DNA, we marvel at the tiny, miniscule, teensy-weensy, infinitesimal aspects of creation. And we say, “Wow! What must God be like?!”
More facts about DNA:
1. All human beings are nearly genetically identical. We share with each other 99.9% of our DNA. It’s the 0.1% that makes us unique.
2. Humans share much of their DNA with other living beings. With whom and how much? With Chimps we share about 98%, with mice roughly 97%, (that makes mice excellent models for studying human biology and disease… I’m sorry, mice…), with fruit flies we share 60%, with bananas 50%, with cabbage 45%, and (are you ready for a surprise?) humans share 70% of their DNA with slugs! Yes, slugs! (Maybe we should show them greater respect!)
3. Roughly 8% of our DNA is not human. It comes from viruses that have infected our ancestry.
4. We share much of our DNA with relatives: with our parents 50%; with full sibling 38-61%; with grandparent/ grandchild, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, half sibling 17%-34%; first cousin, great grandchild, great aunt/uncle 14.4%. The DNA of identical twins is not completely identical due to a phenomenon called epigenetics (which is beyond the scope of this reflection).
5. We usually think of physical traits being passed on through our DNA–like eye color, hair color, height, propensity for heart disease–and that’s true. But other things–such as trauma–can also be passed on through our DNA. What kind of trauma? Slavery, genocide, domestic violence, wars, oppression, extreme poverty. Descendents of such trauma can be more vulnerable to stress, anxiety, and depression.
6. The PBS series Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates is a fascinating show. Each week, they present the ancestry of well-known people using historical records and DNA. At the end, they surprise some of their guests by revealing an unknown genetic “cousin.” Some examples: Glenn Close learned she and Princess Diana were 8th cousins. (She also learned she had several other famous relatives. See the final video below.) Comedian Larry David and Senator Bernard Sanders are 6th cousins. Ironically, David impersonated Sanders on SNL! Tom Hanks and Fred Rogers are also 6th cousins. Hanks learned of this before playing Mr. Rogers in the film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Actors Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, who have been married for over 30 years, recently learned they are 9th cousins, once removed. (Their common ancestor’s name is Kevin Bacon!) Also Colin Powell was related to Princess Diana; and Ben Afleck and Barack Obama are 11th cousins. An intriguing fact: Geneologists studied Pope Leo XIV’s ancestry and learned he has Black Creole ancestors through his maternal grandparents. They were identified as “mulatto” in New Orleans before migrating to Chicago where they were identified as “white.”)
What impact can this knowledge have on our spirituality?
First, as Valerie Schultz says, “your DNA points to the existence and intricacy of God.” For me DNA reveals the immense creativity of God. Billions of people–past, present, and future–and no two alike! Our God must LOVE diversity! Why do we humans struggle with diversity so much?
DNA underscores our ONENESS as a species. It shows we are FAR MORE alike than we are DIFFERENT. We share more with our fellow human beings than we ever imagined. But history shows we allowed differences in incidentals of DNA (like skin color, eye structure, hair texture) to give rise to hatred, wars, slavery, genocide, and oppression of all kinds.
None of us chooses our DNA. Our DNA is the hand of cards we were dealt at conception. Who knows what we have inherited from our ancesters–both liabilities and assets. Maybe your quick temper, your hesitancy to take a risk, your klutziness have their source in a distant ancestor. So, don’t be too harsh on yourself or judgmental of others. Similarly, your general good health, your leadership abilities, your self-discipline may be embedded in the DNA passed down to you from unknown ancestors. So be more humble and grateful.
Valerie Schultz says, “DNA is Holy Ground.” With that is mind, let us pray:
Thank you, my Creator God, for the mystery, power, and intricacy of DNA… for MY DNA, the basic blueprint of who am… My DNA, my “name” already known to you as I was being “knit in my mother’s womb.” Help me to appreciate my own uniqueness and the uniqueness of every other human being. Help me to remember that, genetically speaking, we humans are 99.9% alike. May we focus more on our essential oneness and less on our incidental differences. Help us to embrace our connectedness not only with all other human beings, but also with all other living beings–yes, chimps, polar bears, whales, eagles, chipmunks, trees, fruitflies, bananas. All of this knowledge is too marvelous for me, O Beloved One. So with the psalmist I say, Thank you, Loving Creator, for hand-crafting me and everyone else. Thank you for we all are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:14). Amen.
For reflection:
What words or facts stood out for you in this reflection on DNA? Did you find yourself saying “Wow” to anything?
What impact can your knowledge of DNA have on:
Your concept of God?… Your understanding of other people?… Your prayer life?… Or anything else?
PS: Don’t forget to read next week’s February 2 post so you can enter to win one of the FIVE copies of my latest booklet, “Walking with Mary Through Light and Darkness.” It’s simple to enter! And everyone can enter!
I chose two videos. Since I quoted from Psalm 139 in the prayer at the end of this reflection, I looked for a song based on Ps. 139. I found this beautiful version by Aaron Shust entitled “Hold Me Fast.” The second video is a 4 min. video showing Glenn Close when she learned that, besides Princess Diana, she has several other famous “cousins.”
I hope many of you will write a simple comment below to share YOUR thoughts about this reflection on DNA:
25 Responses
Just got my ancestry dna report back…thank you for adding to it…the Dear Lord is an unfathomable Creator…
Thank you for reminding us to reflect on “What must God be like?! in things both large and small. When gazing at butterflies, milkweed seeds or dandelion seeds, I often marvel at how gentle God must be to create such delicate parts of creation!
Just a note regarding studying animals as models for human biology and disease: I am not a scientist either, but as a fellow animal lover, I am grateful that we are finally moving away from that model.
“Researchers are increasingly adopting human-first approaches that more accurately model human biology. Techniques such as organoids, human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) [which are not derived from embryos] and engineered tissues or microphysiological systems, such as organ-on-a-chip platforms, allow scientists to study tissue development, disease mechanisms, and drug responses in a human-specific context.… In late 2022, President Biden signed the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 into law, removing the legal requirement that drugs be tested in animals before entering clinical trials. And in 2025, the agency began phasing out animal testing for monoclonal antibodies and other drugs, encouraging instead the use of human cell-based platforms and simulations using artificial intelligence (AI) and modelling.”
https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/can-we-stop-using-mice-for-research-16888
Annie, Thank you for your additional clarification of researchers adopting “human-first approaches” in their techniques as researchers. And for noting the changes in laws to facilitate this development. I’m most grateful to hear of this “update” in research practices. Melannie
I don’t have anything inspirational to add, but thank you, Sister, for increasing our awareness and reminding us that God and His Plan are awesome.
My favorite phrase is “your DNA points to the existence and intricacy of God.” Love the idea of the intricacy of God. So simple yet so complex. In our troubling times, I pray that we may learn to respect each other’s intricacy.
Good snow-bound morning, Melannie…
Good snow-bound morning, all…
Your blog about the intricate wonders of DNA does indeed confirm “we are fearfully and wonderfully made.” Thirty-seven trillion cells, each six feet long, to the sun and back several times — Good Lord! As Whitman would say, “We contain multitudes”! But as you also note, generational trauma, as well. I think we all know that right now our country is in need of deep healing.
As always, Sister, I loved reading today’s blog. I am fascinated by genealogy and, like Glenn Close, I am a descendent of early immigrants from England. I am a direct descendent of Governor William Bradford of the Mayflower colony. Yes, all humans are so interconnected, which makes our disputes among one another even more sad, especially with what is going on in our country right now. Thank you as always for your insights, your knowledge, and your wonderful sense of humor!.
Thank you Sr for this beautiful reminder that our country needs to think about today. May God help us heal.
Good morning all, and thanks again Sr Melannie for this reflection. We are all so much closer to each other than we realize!
While reading this I kept thinking of my youngest granddaughter, almost 2 years old, who has taught me much and given me a new appreciation for God’s creation. Delilah has Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome). At first I was afraid, uncomfortable, but then dove into reading and talking with others to find out as much as I could about this. Having an extra chromosome can be viewed, not as a disability, but rather as a way for the Spirit to shine in a special way. She has added tremendously to our lives and those of her cousins, aunts and uncles.
Good Morning Sister Melannie,
Thank you for including my favorite psalm!
Good Morning,
I did me DNA several years ago and found it interesting how many different countries my family members are from. I did in connection with doing my family trees of both my parents. Fun and surprising information.
Everyone be safe and stay warm this week.
Thanks for the reminder Melannie.
Blessings,
Jane
So interesting and informative. I have always marveled at God’s creativity and uniqueness. I am awed by His creative and sustaining powers and love for us.
The song “Hold Me Fast” is inspiring and comforting to meditate with.
We are all connected! Ain’t God fabulous!
Thank you for another beautiful & informative meditation.
Thank you for this fascinating reflection! The slug relationship made me laugh. And you quoted another (in addition to you) of my favorite writers, Valerie Schultz. Would you please share the source of the quotes?
How different life would be if we could just focus on the 99.9% of DNA that we share with all human beings. Our country could use that mindset right now. Thank you for such an interesting and thought provoking reflection.
God indeed is an awesome God!!
As a general principle, the statement “All [humans] are created equal” is part of the American creed. The .1 % of DNA that differentiates one person from another is an “exception that proves the rule.” Only a little soul would say that universal statements have no validity because of that .1 %. Law is the human validation of the science of DNA. All are equal under the law, say the vast majority of Americans. Declaring exemptions from law, as the U. S. Supreme Court did for the president in making him immune from criminal prosecution is a step toward the belittling of the great principle of equality under law. Remember the famous line from Orwell’s *Animal Farm*? “All pigs are created equal, but some pigs are more equal than others.” Nonsense, right? Paradox: all people are children of God (a great honor), but humility is the reminder of everybody’s human limitations. We need each other to make a family, society, civilization and world that lives in harmonious dignity.
I said WOW several times while reading!!
Thank you for all the insights. It’s very sad that we focus on our differences. What could our world be?
Astounding and thought provoking reflection today, thank you. I feel so sad sometimes that with so very much in common, we humans have such a difficult time appreciating and loving one another. God is indeed awesome and so kind and patient with us. Let us reflect often that each of us were chosen and breathed into being from the beginning of creation.
Amazing, beautiful videos today.
WOW!! Amazing! Loved this. Thank you Melannie.
I especially liked: “let us focus on our essential oneness and less on our incidental differences.” I think it would make for a more peaceful world.
I loved this reflection!!! DNA confirming we are All connected physically. One in the body of Christ connects All spiritually. We are unique and yet the same. God is a genius!
Wow! I’m stunned by the statistics! What an eye-opener! Definitely going to check out the PBS series!
I enjoy to discover my roots through family trees. My ancestors come from Germany. I hope to some day visit Germany and discover how far back my family goes in the Catholic Church and if I am related to any Saints:)