My beginning essential question for my project is “what is the inheritance pattern of cleft lip or cleft lip palette”? I am interested in this topic because I feel like it is something that is not seen often but is starting to get more attention, such as in the new movie Wonder. I also think it is fascinating that it is also just a birth defect, but genetics can affect it as well. It also is cool how no matter how many surgeries children have, the defect can never be truly hidden.