Congratulations to the 2026 DNA Day Essay Contest winners and thank you to all who participated. Happy DNA Day!
Read the Winning Essays
1st Place: Carla Monté, Grade 10
Teacher: Mrs. Margarita Sihuro
School: La Vall
Location: Sabadell, Spain
2nd Place: Shiree Lapin, Grade 11
Teacher: Ms. Sam Lapin
School: Acellus Academy
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
3rd Place: Dragoș-Andrei Drăghici, Grade 10
Teacher: Ms. Codruța Dorina Burlea
School: Colegiul Național ”Octavian Goga”, Sibiu
Location: Sibiu, Romania
2026 Question
In recent years, new genetic treatments and therapies have been developed, such as Casgevy for sickle cell disease or Roctavian for hemophilia. Choose one genetic treatment or therapy that has been developed or widely used in recent years.
- Explain what the treatment is and how it works.
- Discuss its advantages and disadvantages. Think about ethical issues, effects on society, cost, and accessibility.
- If you or someone you care about had this condition, would you choose this treatment? Please explain why, considering things like age, overall health, cost factors, etc.
Where 2026 submissions came from:
About the Contest
The contest aims to challenge students to examine, question, and reflect on important ideas and issues related to human genetics. Competitive essays are expected to convey substantive, well-reasoned, and evidence-based arguments that demonstrate deep understanding.
Essays are evaluated through three rounds of judging, and every essay is read by a minimum of three judges. Top-scoring essays have typically been scored by a dozen or more judges.
Read the 2026 DNA Day Essay Contest Announcement Press Release.