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06.02.08, 20:24 PM General Topics
13 replies
I know how dumb this is going to sound - but what's the difference between genes and chromosomes? I mean, if you had (or lost) a baby w/ chomosomal defects, is that better/worse or more/less likely to happen again than if you had (or lost) one w/ genetic defects? [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 06.02.08, 08:24 PM Flag
 

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the genes are on the chromosomes. but in the example you are giving, you are using them interchangebly [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 08:26 PM Flag
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omg google [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 08:26 PM Flag
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that's always the reply from someone who doesn't know enough to articulate an answer. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 08:37 PM Flag
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i think it's confusing b/c genetic diseases are used in two ways. a disease where there's something wrong with the genetic material (e.g. down syndrome is an extra chromosome, trisomy is extra material on a chromosome i think) is called a genetic problem. but people also talk about genetic problems when they are referring to hereditary issues (like tay-sachs, sickle cell anemia, etc). The genetic problems like chromosomal defects are random (fate? predetermined? sent from God?) but aren't more likely to recur in someone who has experienced it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 08:28 PM Flag
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this is not true. chromosomal defects are likely to reoccur in people with balanced translocations, for example [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 08:29 PM Flag
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meant as a reply to the "this is not true" poster (there's no reply button there). balanced translocations have some sort of hereditary component. i don't know that much about it but i know that after i miscarried my ob wanted to test both me adn dh, so obviously there's a hereditary issue. and in any case, my point was really to address the op's confusion. some genetic problems are hereditary and have a higher likelihood of recurring. other genetic defects are "random" and someone who has had it isn't more likely to have it again. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 08:33 PM Flag
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A chromosomal defect is a type of genetic defect. Hundreds of thousands of genes are located on each chromosome, of which there are 22 different ones, plus the X and Y. Chromosomal defects are more likely with advanced maternal age, and there are rare chromosomal defects that can be in many but not all cells of your body and could therefore show up repeatedly in embryos, even though you (or dh) have no symptoms of the defect yourself. Otherwise, the term 'genetic defects' usually refers to abnormalities caused by a problem in a single gene, such as cystic fibrosis. In this case, it is much more likely that the same problem could recur in another pregnancy. It is not at all a stupid question. Unfortunately, we all took high school biology a long time ago and before the central importance of this information in education was fully appreciated. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 08:30 PM Flag
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technically there are 23 pairs of chromosomes in a human. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 08:33 PM Flag
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That's why I said 22 different PLUS X and Y. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 08:35 PM Flag
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its not clear in your answer that there are 46 intotal. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 08:36 PM Flag
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Well, thanks for clarifying. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 08:38 PM Flag
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you sound quite informed. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 08:34 PM Flag
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to answer your question, i think having a chromosomal defect in a baby is a totally random thing, so if it happened to you, on your next pregnancy you are essentially just like any other pg woman. But with genetic defects, it could be that 1/4 of your babies would be affected, or whatever the odds are. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 08:34 PM Flag
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