• Question: If we had a baby with one of our family members would it be disabled?

    Asked by elliejade to Asif, Laura, Lena, Sean, Viv on 16 Mar 2012.
    • Photo: Sean Murphy

      Sean Murphy answered on 15 Mar 2012:

      Not necessarily, however there is a greater chance of problems occurring. This is because of what we call recessive genes. Recessive genes are genes that can be expressed, but can be overpowered by stronger genes. As people in your family are likely to have similar genes, by combining you genes you are increasing the risk of giving the baby “doubles” of the same recessive gene. With two of these genes, there is no strong gene to take over, this can cause genetic diseases.

    • Photo: Laura Waters

      Laura Waters answered on 16 Mar 2012:

      It might be and it is not a risk worth taking. There are plenty of other people in the world to choose from!

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