What Are Genetic Disorders
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Genetic disorders can be described as illnesses that occur due to certain abnormalities present in the genes.
There are no cures for genetic disorders, but certain symptoms manifested by the disorders can be controlled using medications or therapy. However, scientists are busy trying to decipher the human gene makeup to figure out how certain genetic disorders are caused. This will eventually lead to a treatment.The Human Genome Project is being undertaken at the moment to find out the various genetic components. This has led scientists to figure out that some genetic disorders are caused due to gene mutations. For instance, cancer is believed to be caused due to gene mutation, which can take place randomly. However, certain environmental factors can also lead to cancer.
Some genetic disorders are hereditary in nature. A good example would be Huntington's disease or Marfan's syndrome. In this type of disorder, the mutated gene is passed down from one generation to the next, and the offspring who inherits the gene will have the disorder.
However, most genetic disorders are caused due to a combination of small changes taking place in the genes clubbed with certain environmental factors. These types of genetic disorders are often referred to as multifactorial inheritance disorders.
Due to the Human Genome Project, scientists have now discovered that certain genetic disorders like breast cancer or colon cancer that occur due to changes in the genes can also be hereditary in nature. In other words, it is not necessary that a person carrying the gene will get the disorder. Instead, there is a strong possibility that the person will get the disease if it is present in the family. Basically the chances of getting the disease increase.
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