What are autosomal recessive disorders?
Mutations (or changes in the DNA that codes for a gene) have occurred over time in different parts of the world. Anyone can carry virtually any type of recessive gene; however, there may be certain ethnic groups more likely to carry certain recessive genes, because of where the mutation originated. For example, the gene which causes Tay Sachs disease is found most commonly in persons of Ashkenazi Jewish descent (because the mutation is thought to have originated in this area of eastern Europe), but can also be seen in persons who are not Ashkenazi.
Mutations (or changes in the DNA that codes for a gene) have occurred over time in different parts of the world. Anyone can carry virtually any type of recessive gene; however, there may be certain ethnic groups more likely to carry certain recessive genes, because of where the mutation originated. For example, the gene which causes Tay-Sachs disease is found most commonly in persons of Ashkenazi Jewish descent (because the mutation is thought to have originated in this area of eastern Europe), but can also be seen in persons who are not Ashkenazi.
