For women with a family history of serious genetic disorders, abortion is a critical option: a security feature that allows them to consider having children.
The discovery of the cystic fibrosis gene led to treatments and long-term survival for patients.
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Unlocking the genetic cause of cystic fibrosis, and identifying treatments, has moved the prognosis from near certain death in infancy, to a median survival in Canada of 52 years.
Couples who are carriers of genes for recessive diseases don’t show any symptoms.
Photo by Drew Hays on Unsplash
Cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy and fragile X syndrome are serious diseases, and most couples carrying the genetic mutations for these don’t know it. Should they all be tested?
Couples thinking about kids can be screened for genes that may cause disease in their offspring.
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Gina Ravenscroft, The University of Western Australia; Nigel Laing, The University of Western Australia e Royston Ong, The University of Western Australia
Most of us will be carriers of recessive genes that cause disease. If our partner carries the same gene we could pass it on to our kids. Testing exists, but what are the pros and cons?