Do All Gene Mutations Cause Health and Development Problems?
No, most gene mutations do not have a negative impact on health or development. In fact, only a small percentage of genetic mutations result in genetic disorders. For example, some gene mutations will alter the base sequence of DNA, but will not change how the protein made by the gene functions. DNA can become mutated or damaged in a number of ways, so DNA repair is an essential process that the body performs to protect itself from disorders and diseases. On the other hand, only a small percentage of genetic mutations produce a positive effect. New proteins are produced by these mutations, helping an organism, as well as its future generations, adapt to environmental changes better. For example, a positive gene mutation could result in creating a protein that is able to protect an organism from a bacteria strain that is new.
