Submissions are invited for the Annual DNA Day Essay Contest by ASHG. The deadline for submission is March 5, 2025!
ASHG is proud to support National DNA Day through the Annual DNA Day Essay Contest. DNA Day commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 and the discovery of the double helix of DNA in 1953.
This contest is open to students in grades 9-12 worldwide and asks students to examine, question, and reflect on important concepts in genetics. Essays are expected to be well-reasoned arguments that indicate a deep understanding of scientific concepts related to the essay question. They are evaluated by ASHG members through three rounds of scoring.
Artificial intelligence (AI)—advanced computer systems that can quickly analyze large amounts of data—is being used in many areas of healthcare, from diagnosing diseases to recommending treatments. Now, experts are also using AI to help interpret genetic testing results, which examine your DNA to understand your risk for certain diseases or guide treatments. If you had to undergo genetic testing, would you want AI to be used to help make sense of your results?
Please address the following in your essay:
Grades 9-12
| Criteria | Points |
| Overall accuracy of the science content | 0-6 |
| Use of evidence in support of an argument/answer; essay well-focused on the question/topic selected | 0-6 |
| Writing quality (clear thesis, composition, grammar, syntax, spelling) | 0-5 |
| References and citations (quality and appropriateness) | 0-3 |
| Total points possible: | 20 |
Interested participants can register through this link.
The deadline for submission is March 5, 2025.
