genetic relatedness

Genetic relatedness refers to the degree of shared genetic material between individuals. This is often expressed as a percentage, indicating how much of their DNA they have in common. For example, siblings share about 50% of their genes, while parents and children also share around 50%. Cousins share about 12.5%. This shared genetic material influences traits, behaviors, and health. Understanding genetic relatedness helps in various fields, including medicine, conservation biology, and genealogy, as it reveals connections between individuals and the evolutionary relationships among species.