4.6.1.7 Inherited disorders

Question 1

What are disorders caused by?

Answer 1

• Inheritance of certain alleles

Question 2

What is polydactyly?

Answer 2

• Having extra fingers or toes (this is caused by a dominant allele)
• 50% chance that one parent with and one without produce baby with

Question 3

What is cystic fibrosis?

Answer 3

• A disorder of cell membranes, stick mucus into body (this is caused by a recessive allele)
• Can be a carrier

Question 4

What are the prayers and cons of embryo screening?

Answer 4

Pros:
- Reduce overall suffering (fewer people with health problems)
- Save money
Cons:
- Implies that people with genetic disorders are undesirable
- In the future people might start screening for other traits (in UK there are some laws to prevent)