Hi, I was just wondering, if a gene I'd recessively sex linked on the X chromosome (males get) are those males then encouraged not to reproduce or even perhaps the mother of the child with the disease encouraged not to reproduce again.
Thanks
P.S. Not trying to offend anyone just wondering because I got a question that asks how to prevent someone with this disease from passing it on to further generations. If they are "allowed" to reproduce how else would they prevent the passing on of the disease to future generations
Just going to jump in and say something about this.
If a male has an X-linked recessive condition, he can only pass that X chromosome onto his daughter. So if his wife is homozygous dominant, then there's actually no danger of that man passing on that condition to a child. The daughter will certainly be a carrier though.
In terms of X-linked conditions, you start to get into murkier waters when the mother has an X-linked recessive condition. In that case, there's a 50% chance that she will pass that condition onto a son. Indeed, the couple can't have a male child that doesn't have the condition.
I just wanted to say those things, because your question seems to me to belie a misunderstanding about the way X-linked inheritance works. On the ethical arguments, that's really up to you to form your own opinion. There is not any legislation in Australia that prevents someone with a genetic disease from having a child. Personally, I think it'd be abhorrent if there were, but you may disagree with me.
As Skidous mentioned, there are technologies that can help prevent these diseases from being passed on. He referenced a couple that are available to women, but I would add this clarification: they also can be used to assess the genome of the male gametes too. So, in IVF for instance, you can actually check the sperm and the egg to make sure that the egg that is implanted (i.e. given back to the woman) does not carry a genetic disease.
People with a genetic disease often do feel really anxious about having children. It's really useful for them to meet with their doctor, and hopefully then a genetic counsellor, for some testing to ascertain the risk that the child will also have the disease. Beyond that, there can also be some other potential issues. For instance, cycstic fibrosis dramatically reduces male fertility (to the point that they can't naturally conceive). Also, other genetic diseases might make it dangerous for a woman to carry the foetus (if she has the disease), or may result in the inability of a parent to care for their children when they're growing up.
These are difficult decisions that often require difficult choices. What I think is important is that these choices remain with the patient and that they be allowed to make those choices with the help of good advice.
Hey. I just wanted to ask if anyone could please help me understand the parts of the brain from the Communications Option. I'm unsure which section of the brain is responsible for what...
Can you give us some more deets about the option please? I'm a VCE kid but should hopefully know the content
Home
Help
Search
Login
