I've always wanted to have my very own theme song, like a hero in a movie. Now, I do. I just used IDNAtity, an iOS app that mixes a little science with art. It takes information about your genetic makeup, assigns you a genetic code, and then translates that code into musical notes to form a song.
You start by uploading a photo of yourself into the app. Then, you answer a few questions about your hair color, eye color, and whether you have dimples (I don't) and can roll your tongue (I can't). The app does the rest, creating a song you can listen to and share.
It turns out my genetics make for a somewhat discordant song. There's no way this will ever be a chart-topper, yet I still manage to get it stuck in my head.
You can play back your personalized song using a variety of instrument options ranging from steel drums to bird tweets. My favorite is called "Orchestra Hit." It makes my DNA music sound like a theme song for Darth Vader.
I gave the app a whirl (per the developer's suggestion) with Dashiell, a CNET test cat, as the subject. I had to fudge a little on the hair color, because "born gray" wasn't an option, but the result was a much more dramatic piece than my genetic code had generated.
This 99-cent app is in no way a substitute for an actual DNA test, but it's a fun starting point for getting into the concept of genetics. Plus, my cat and I now have personal theme songs. We'll be ready if anybody wants to make a biopic about us.
