In the case of autosomal dominant genes, a single abnormal gene on
one of the autosomal chromosomes (one of the first 22 "non-sex"
chromosomes) from either parent can cause the disease. One of the
parents will have the disease (since it is dominant) in this mode
of inheritance and that person is called the CARRIER. Only one
parent must be a carrier in order for the child to inherit the
disease.
Review Date: 04/26/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of
Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
