2008 National DNA Day Online Chatroom Transcript
This is just one question from an archive of the National DNA Day Moderated Chat held in April 2008. The NHGRI Director and many genomics experts from across NHGRI took questions from students, teachers and the general public on topics ranging from basic genomic research, to the genetic basis of disease, to ethical questions about genetic privacy.
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How is Parkinson's disease inherited?
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Barbara Biesecker, M.S.:
Researching ways to make genetic counseling as effective as possible.
Parkinson's disease is considered a common complex condition that is caused by genetics and environment. This means that there are many causes. There are several different genes that contribute to the risk for PD, but we do not think about it as inherited as a Mendelian disorder (such as dominant or recessive). In families where multiple people are affected with PD and there is an earlier age of onset, there are likely higher genetic risks to relatives. If someone in your family is affected and you are concerned about the risk, a genetic counselor can help to answer your questions. |
| Sharon High School in PA (12th grade student) |
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