Medical Health Encyclopedia

Autosomal dominant

In other words, if it is assumed that 4 children are produced from a couple in which one parent has an abnormal gene for a dominant disease, the STATISTICAL expectation is for:

• 2 children normal
• 2 children with the disease

This does not mean that children WILL necessarily be affected. It does mean that EACH child has a 50:50 chance of inheriting the disorder. Children who do not inherit the abnormal gene will not develop or pass on the disease.

See also:

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Autosomal recessive

Genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis

Sex-linked dominant

Sex-linked recessive

For detailed information, see heredity and disease (genetics).

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