Autosomal recessive and dominant diseases have been a part of our genetic makeup for as long as we have had a genetic make up. Yet they have only recently become part of our understanding our bodies. Though scientists used to state that our traits where what god wanted and there were no rime or reason and know we know how wrong that was. Autosomal recessive and dominant traits explain the majority of the way our basic genetics work. When an autosomal recessive trait is present it is always masked by the dominant trait but if no dominant trait is present then the recessive genes will show up. Dominant genes weather they are good or bad they will show their traits over recessive genes. This is particularly important when talking about diseases as it affects the next generation. While a child can have a recessive gene that is defective this child may never express symptoms of this because their correct gene masks its traits. While the opposite is true for dominant genes as they will express the disease even when a recessive gene is present.
I have learned a lot about autosomal diseases by researching these case studies. They have given me a greater understanding of what genetic diseases mean for their sufferers and their families. This has made me think back to learning about Mendel and how I thought about the possibilities that were at our fingertips if only we understood more about genes. It also makes me think back to a paper I wrote freshmen year about designer babies yet I never before thought about what it exactly means for diseases beyond prevention. This unit has made me rethink all that I have ever learned about genetics. I used to always think that dominant diseases were so much worse than Recessive and now I’m not sure. Dominant genes are easy to be afraid of, no matter what if you have this gene you will get sick but on the upside you have only a fifty fifty percent of passing the gene on. While recessive genes are much sneakier, a carrier could never know they had this bad gene until their child is dying of a horrible disease before their eyes. That scares me much more than having a dominant gene. I used to see genetics as peas and flowers not the difference between a healthy parent and a sick child. Mendel experimented with peas and the prospect of designer babies experiments with the thought of playing god, neither express the real life possibilities of gene therapy and screening of embryos.
All of this has made me form a personal opinion on autosomal diseases such as I would want to know my risks for getting or passing on any genetic disease, but I wouldn’t necessarily want to know if i did have a disease for insurance and potential job issues. I have developed a greater understanding and sympathy for those with genetic diseases. It is very difficult for me to imagine having to deal with the complications and pressures of having a genetic disease. It has also given me an appreciation for genetic screening in embryos so parents can at least have the comfort that their children will not inherit their debilitating disease.