Can Companies Patent Human Genes? Listen Download Embed Share Share this on Facebook (Opens in a new window) Share this on Twitter (Opens in a new window) Share this via Email During DNA replication, each strand of the original molecule acts as a template for the synthesis of a new, complementary DNA strand. ( Illustration and caption courtesy of National Institute of General Medical Sciences / Crabtree + Company / NIGMS Image Gallery ) Produced by Jillian Weinberger Produced by PRI and WNYC