Genetic conditions (2024)

What is a genetic condition?

A genetic condition occurs when you inherit an altered (changed) gene from your parents that increases your risk of developing that particular condition. However not all genetic conditions are passed down from your parents, some gene changes occur randomly before you are born.

Many health conditions run in families. Genetic conditions are often called hereditary because they can be passed from parents to their children.

Examples of genetic conditions include:

  • some cancers
  • cystic fibrosis
  • high cholesterol
  • haemophilia
  • muscular dystrophy
  • birth defects (for example, spina bifida or a cleft lip).

Find out more about how your family’s health history can increase your risk of getting some conditions.

What are genes?

Your genes contain the information your body uses to control how you grow, develop and function. They determine most of your physical characteristics, including:

  • whether you are male or female
  • blood type
  • eye colour
  • height.

Many health conditions and diseases are also carried in our genes.

Your genes are contained in a number of packages called chromosomes. You have 23 pairs of chromosomes, 46 in total. Changes in your chromosomes, such as having more than 46, can also cause genetic conditions like Down Syndrome.

How your genes affect your health

Almost all known conditions have a genetic basis. For example:

  • around 5 per cent of cancers are passed down through families
  • early onset of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and osteoporosis are often because there is afamily history of the condition.

Your environment also interacts with your genes to increase the risk of conditions such as diabetes, asthmaand autoimmune disorders.

Social changes, such as women having children later in life, are also associated with:

  • an increased number of pregnancies at risk of genetic conditions and birth defects
  • increased need for pregnancy screening and diagnostic tests.

How common are genetic conditions?

Approximately 6 out of 10 people will be affected by a condition which has some genetic background. Genetic conditions can range from mild to very severe.

Genetic conditions and birth defects occur in between 3 and 5 per cent of babies born in Western Australia.

Testing for genetic conditions

Genetic tests can be used to:

  • confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition
  • assess your chance of developing or passing on a genetic condition.

Find out more about the different types of genetic tests.

The role of genetics

In general, genetics play a role in the development of disease in three main ways:

  • Firstly, there can be changes or alterations to the DNA of particular genes – these are known as Mendelian or single gene disorders.
  • Secondly, there may be problems with the number or the structure of the chromosomes that are inherited from each parent – these are Chromosomal disorders.
  • And thirdly, our genes interact with various environment and lifestyle factors to cause disease – these are Multifactorial or complex disorders.

Visit the Genetics Home Reference (external site) for more information.

Where to get help

Remember

  • Many health conditions run in families.
  • Your genes contain the information your body uses to control how you grow, develop and function.
  • A genetic condition can be passed down through your family, increasing the risk of family members developing a condition.

Acknowledgements

Office of Population Health Genomics

This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsem*nt and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

Genetic conditions (2024)

FAQs

What does it mean when we say someone has a genetic disease choose the best answer? ›

A genetic condition is caused by an altered gene or set of genes. The four broad groups of genetic conditions include single gene conditions, chromosome anomalies, mitochondrial conditions and multifactorial conditions.

What is a genetic disorder answer? ›

Genetic disorders occur when a mutation affects your genes. Carrying the mutation doesn't always mean you'll end up with a disease.

What are the genetic conditions? ›

A genetic condition occurs when you inherit an altered (changed) gene from your parents that increases your risk of developing that particular condition. However not all genetic conditions are passed down from your parents, some gene changes occur randomly before you are born.

How many genetic conditions does the average person carry? ›

Carrier Screening. Based on early studies, every person is estimated to carry approximately three to five genetic mutations. Carrying a mutation does not typically cause any related disorders for that person, but it can mean that their children are at risk for having a disorder.

Are genetic disorders always inherited explain your answer? ›

In some cases, an affected person inherits the condition from an affected parent . In others, the condition may result from a new variant in the gene and occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family. In autosomal recessive inheritance , variants occur in both copies of the gene in each cell.

What are the rarest genetic disorders? ›

MRDS Rare Diseases List
  • Achondroplasia. This genetic disorder is caused by a change (mutation) in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene. ...
  • Albinism. ...
  • Angelman syndrome. ...
  • Aniridia Syndrome. ...
  • Apert syndrome. ...
  • Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency. ...
  • Becker Muscular Dystrophy. ...
  • Bilateral left-cleft schizencephaly.

Is ADHD a genetic disorder? ›

Genetics. ADHD tends to run in families and, in most cases, it's thought the genes you inherit from your parents are a significant factor in developing the condition. Research shows that parents and siblings of someone with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves.

What rare genetic disorder has no cure? ›

Angelman syndrome

A rare syndrome causing physical and intellectual disability. It can't be cured, but some therapies can improve the quality of life of those affected....

How common is it to be a carrier of a genetic disorder? ›

Approximately 2% to 3% of couples are carriers of the same condition. Although certain genetic conditions may be individually rare, collectively, their prevalence is more significant and accounts for more than 10% of pediatric deaths.

What are the 3 most common genetic disorders? ›

What You Need to Know About 5 Most Common Genetic Disorders
  • Down Syndrome. ...
  • Thalassemia. ...
  • Cystic Fibrosis. ...
  • Tay-Sachs disease. ...
  • Sickle Cell Anemia. ...
  • Learn More. ...
  • Recommended. ...
  • Sources.

Is autism genetic? ›

Autism is highly heritable: It is estimated at least 50% of genetic risk is predicted by common genetic variation and another 15-20% is due to spontaneous mutations or predictable inheritance patterns. The remaining genetic risk is yet to be determined.

Can genetic disorders be cured? ›

Many genetic disorders result from gene changes that are present in essentially every cell in the body. As a result, these disorders often affect many body systems, and most cannot be cured. However, approaches may be available to treat or manage some of the associated signs and symptoms.

How many genetic disorders do people carry? ›

There are well over 6,000 known genetic disorders, and new genetic disorders are constantly being described in medical literature. More than 600 genetic disorders are treatable. Around 1 in 50 people are affected by a known single-gene disorder, while around 1 in 263 are affected by a chromosomal disorder.

What diseases skip a generation? ›

In pedigrees of families with multiple affected generations, autosomal recessive single-gene diseases often show a clear pattern in which the disease "skips" one or more generations. Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a prominent example of a single-gene disease with an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern.

Is Down's syndrome genetic? ›

Down syndrome is a genetic condition where a person is born with an extra chromosome. This can affect how their brain and body develop. People diagnosed with Down syndrome can lead healthy lives with supportive care.

What is a genetic disease quizlet? ›

A genetic disease is one that is caused by a change (mutation) in the genetic information of an individual that can be passed on from one generation to the next.

What best defines a genetic disorder? ›

Sometimes there is a mutation, a change in a gene or genes. The mutation changes the gene's instructions for making a protein, so the protein does not work properly or is missing entirely. This can cause a medical condition called a genetic disorder. You can inherit a gene mutation from one or both parents.

What is a genetically defined disease? ›

Genetic disorders can be caused by a mutation in one gene (monogenic disorder), by mutations in multiple genes (multifactorial inheritance disorder), by a combination of gene mutations and environmental factors, or by damage to chromosomes (changes in the number or structure of entire chromosomes, the structures that ...

What does it mean when someone says it's genetic? ›

How many times have you heard someone say, “It's genetic”? Many people know the general meaning of what it means to have a genetic condition — it runs in the family.

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