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Mutation
Any heritable change in DNA sequence.
Acquired genetic mutation
A change in the genetic structure that is neither inherited nor passed to offspring. Also called acquired mutations.
Genetic illness
Sickness, physical disability, or other disorder resulting from the inheritance of one or more deleterious alleles.
Birth defect
Any harmful trait, physical or biochemical, present at birth, whether a result of a genetic mutation or some other nongenetic factor.
Cancer
Diseases in which abnormal cells divide and grow unchecked.
Identical twin
Twins produced by the division of a single zygote; both have identical genotypes.
Phenotype
The physical characteristics of an organism or the presence of a disease that may or may not be genetic.
Fraternal twin
Siblings born at the same time as the result of fertilization of two ova by two sperm. They share the same genetic relationship to each other as any other siblings.
Single-gene disorder
Hereditary disorder caused by a mutant allele of a single gene.
Risk communication
In genetics, a process in which a genetic counselor or other medical professional interprets genetic test results and advises patients of the consequences for them and their offspring.
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