Incomplete penetrance

Incomplete penetrance is a genetic term that refers to the phenomenon where a person with a disease-causing genotype does not always express the associated phenotype. This means that even if a person inherits a disease-causing gene, they may not show any signs or symptoms of the disease. The reasons for incomplete penetrance are not fully understood, but it is thought to be influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

Causes of Incomplete Penetrance

Incomplete penetrance can be caused by a variety of factors. These can include other genetic factors, environmental factors, and lifestyle factors. For example, a person may inherit a disease-causing gene, but if they also inherit protective genes, or live in a healthy environment, or lead a healthy lifestyle, they may not develop the disease.

Examples of Diseases with Incomplete Penetrance

There are many diseases that show incomplete penetrance. These include Huntington's disease, breast cancer, and retinoblastoma. In these diseases, not everyone who inherits the disease-causing gene will develop the disease.

Implications of Incomplete Penetrance

Incomplete penetrance has important implications for genetic counseling. It means that even if a person tests positive for a disease-causing gene, they may not develop the disease. This can make it difficult to predict who will develop the disease and who will not.

See Also

• Genetic factors
• Environmental factors
• Lifestyle factors
• Huntington's disease
• Breast cancer
• Retinoblastoma
• Genetic counseling

Incomplete penetrance Resources
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