📖 what
What is a carrier in genetics?
Quick Answer
A carrier is someone who has one copy of a recessive disease-causing variant but usually does not have symptoms. They can still pass the variant to their children.
The Full Story
In genetics, a carrier typically has one normal allele and one recessive disease-causing allele for a condition. Because many recessive disorders require two altered copies to cause disease, carriers are often healthy. If two carriers have a child, there is usually a 25% chance the child will inherit both altered copies and be affected. Carrier screening is used to assess risk for conditions such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease.
Key Facts
1.Carriers often do not show symptoms
2.Two carriers can have an affected child
3.Carrier screening is used in reproductive genetics
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"How a hidden gene variant can pass through families"
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