What is an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance?
In an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance an affected person usually has unaffected parents who each carry a single copy of the mutated gene (and are referred to as carriers). In autosomal dominant disorders if one parent has an abnormal gene and the other parent a normal gene, there is a 50 percent chance each child will inherit the abnormal gene, and therefore the dominant trait. This does not mean that children WILL necessarily be affected. It does mean that EACH child has a 50:50 chance of inheriting the disorder. Children who do not inherit the abnormal gene will not develop or pass on the disease. What is genetic testing? Genetic tests look for abnormalities in a person’s genes, or the presence/absence of key proteins whose production is directed by specific genes. Abnormalities in either could indicate an inherited disposition to a disorder. Genetic testing includes gene tests (DNA testing) and biochemical tests (protein testing). In gene tests, DNA in cells taken from a p
