Genetics And Evolution: Cystic Fibrosis And Down Syndrome

Part I of Essay
Cystic Fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis is a disorder where the exocrine glands secrete abnormally thick mucus, leading to obstruction of the pancreas and chronic infections of the lungs, which usually cause death in childhood or early adulthood. Some mildly affected patients may ....

Part II of Essay
.... If both parents carry the gene responsible for the disease, they have a one-in-four chance of having an affected child. In 1989, the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis was identified on chromosome 7 (out of 23 chromosomes). Since that time more than 200 different mutations in the cystic fibrosis gene have been described, and tests have been developed to detect the most common alterations. These tests can identify unaffected carriers of the disorder. Sickle-Cell Anemia Sickle-Cell Anemia, also called sickle-cell disease, is a hereditary c ....