Gene Mutations
These mutations are gene mutations. (Note: Chromosome mutations may indeed affect
individual genes – even thousands of genes – at a time, but that’s not the focus of this
assignment.)
Gene mutations could cause genetic disease under these conditions:
1. The mutation happened in a sex cell; either sperm or egg.
2. The mutation caused a genetic disorder.
3. The mutation was not so severe as to result in the death of the fetus, embryo,
or zygote.
4. The genetic disorder did not affect all offspring severely and immediately so
as to prevent growth to adulthood and a sex life. (e.g. Think about sickle cell
anemia: Are heterozygous individuals [HAHS] sick? Think about Huntington
disease: When in a person’s life does it become fatal?)