Children inherit their genes from their biological parents. Analysing DNA from biological parents allows researchers to understand which genes are passed from parent to child, and how parents’ genes influence their children’s lives, as well as their own.
Each child’s genes come from both their biological mother and biological father, so the value of the genetic information is increased greatly if we are able to look at both biological parents. Genes can have different effects depending on whether they come from the mother or father. DNA from parents will let us explore these differences. This is why – when looking at complex conditions such as asthma, obesity or diabetes – we need to look at DNA from parents as well as children.