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A member asked:

How is it possible that genetic disorders appear in offspring but were not present in the family before?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. John Moranville answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Recessive gene: Many genetic disorders are recessive meaning a person can be a carrier of a gene without having the disorder. The disorder would then be expressed only if both mother and father were carriers of the gene. There can also be what is caused partial penetrance meaning that someone may have some, but not all features of the disorder.

Dr Pappas agreed

Answered 4/14/2013

5.7k views

Thank

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