Types of Genetic Disorders

Single-Gene Disorders

Single-gene disorders occur when one specific gene is mutated. The mutation may be passed down in families or appear by chance.

Examples include:

  • Cystic fibrosis – a disorder that causes thick, sticky mucus in the lungs and digestive system (NHGRI, 2024).
  • Sickle cell disease – a condition that changes the shape of red blood cells, making it harder for them to carry oxygen.

These disorders follow clear inheritance patterns, such as dominant or recessive, which makes them easier to trace using family trees (Wallis, 2018).