autosomal recessive disorders

Autosomal recessive disorders are genetic conditions that require two copies of a faulty gene for a person to be affected. This means that both parents must carry the gene, even if they do not show any symptoms themselves. A child inherits one gene from each parent; if both are defective, the child can develop the disorder. Common examples include cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia. Individuals with only one copy remain healthy carriers and can pass the gene to their offspring. The likelihood of having an affected child increases if both parents are carriers of the same recessive gene.