Conditions with a link to the individual's genetic make-up.

Genetic disorders are conditions that can be traced to an individual's heredity. Many of these disorders are inherited and are governed by the same genetic rules that determine dimples and red hair. However, some genetic disorders result from a spontaneous mutation during embryonic development. If one parent can transmit the genetic information (in genes) that causes a child's disorder, then the disorder is said to be genetically dominant. However, if both parents lack the disorder and pass the disorder's gene to a child, then the genetic disorder is said to be recessive. But not all genetic diseases are completely determined by genes alone; some are promoted by environmental factors such as diet. Disorders that result from both genes and environment are called multi-factorial genetic diseases. In addition, some genetic disorders occur predominantly in males or females, due...