ASK HN: Can a person's finger impression or fingerprint be genetically modified?

No it's set before birth. A future person's finger print could perhaps be modified, but it seems like we don't know all the genetic components behind fingerprints, and there are probably environmental factors as well.

https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/traits/fingerprints https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-ones-fingerpr...

You mean like... after they're born? Or by modifying the sperm and/or egg producing the person?

Edit: Doesn't matter. The answer is no. Fingerprints aren't determined by genes[1].

1. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/science/06qna.html

Your fingerprint can't be "genetically modified," but I'm surprised at the amount of false information here. Burning your fingers or deep cuts will give you a new fingerprint (usually "none") [1]. AFAIK you can't change your fingerprint to a specific new one, though.

[1] (NSFW) http://www.cse.msu.edu/~rossarun/pubs/FengJainRoss_AlteredFi...

Personally, I think anything is possible.

The only way I believe that they can be modified is by literally burning them off or if you get a deep scar or cut, that can permanently alter the way they are. As far as "genetic modification" goes, likely not.