TaySachs is a rare autosomal recessive disease that progress

Tay-Sachs is a rare autosomal recessive disease that progressively destroys nerves in both the brain and spinal cord, often leading to death at an early age. It is cause by inhertiting two copies of a recessive allele in the HEXA gene on chromosome 15. The deisease is found predominantly amongst Ashkenazi Jews, where about one in 3,500 is affected. the incidence of disease amongst the general piopulation of the united states is about one in 320,000. calculate the frequency of the Tay Sachs allele in these two populations. Take your answer out to 4 decimal points. Show your work.

What is the frequency of the tay sachs allele in the ashkenazi jewish population? In the general US population?

What percentage of ashkenazi jews will be carriers of the trait, but not have the disease? What about the US population?

Solution

A) The frequency of Tay-Sachs disease carriers among the Ashkenazi Jewish population of Brazil is similar to that of other countries where carrier screening programs have led to a significant decrease in disease incidence.

B) This means the partner\'s father has a 50% chance of being a carrier. A rare (1 in 200,000) autosomal recessive disorder which can present with BRCA2 is associated with a lower risk than that of BRCA1 but has also been associated.