Genetic disorder is a disease that is caused by an abnormality in an individual’s DNA. Genetic disorders are generally rare and affect one person in every thousands or millions. In fact, 10 in every 1000 live births suffer from genetic disorders. Generally, parents who are carriers of serious genetic diseases realize it after having an affected child. Although carriers are healthy people, if both the parents have a mutation in the same gene, the probability of having an affected child is 25%.
Following are the things one should know about the genetic disorders!
- You may be a healthy person but still be a carrier of a genetic disorder
- Our cells consist of genetic information or DNA that are organized into basic units known as genes. Each gene in a child has two copies, one inherited from the father and one from the mother. Genetic Disorders are caused when there is a mutation in one or more genes.
- Genetic disorders cannot be cured but can only be prevented!
- Almost everyone is a carrier of a genetic mutation. In cases of consanguineous Marriages, 17% of the couples are at a high risk of transmitting the genetic disorder to their child.
- Being a carrier of a mutation is not the same as being affected by the disease. But if both the parents have a mutation in the same gene the chances of having an affected child is increased up to 25%.
- 20% of infant mortality in a developed country is caused due to genetic disorders.
- Every year more and more infants are born with one or the other kind of Genetic Disorders. The statistics is such that 1 in 25 infants are carriers of Cystic Fibrosis whereas 1 in 50 are detected with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
- We all are carriers of certain genetic mutations, despite that we lead a healthy life. But according to the reports of WHO, 10 in 1000 new born infants suffer from a Genetic Disorder. The number is too high and the possibility of an affected child is increased if both the parents have a mutation in the same gene.
- Most parents realize they are carriers of a genetic mutation when an affected child is born. Carrier Genetic Test (CGT) by IGENOMIX determines whether the parents are a carrier of certain mutations. Taking this test also guides the immediate family members to take decisions pertaining to their family planning, since this runs in the genes. This is the only way one can reduce the number of infants born with Genetic Disorders.
- Even if both you and your partner are carriers of a genetic disorder. You can still have a healthy baby with Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD).
To eliminate the risk of genetic disorders in the to be born child, IGENOMIX who is the pioneer in reproductive genetics developed Carrier Genetic Test (CGT). CGT is an important family planning test to determine the risk of having a child with a genetic disease. A positive result in the test means the presence of one or more mutations in the individual. In these cases there are options to conceive healthy children with Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD).
