• Question: What can we predict about someone's development from their genes?

    Asked by to Lilly on 19 Mar 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Lilian Hunt

      Lilian Hunt answered on 19 Mar 2014:


      Our genes tell us a lot about our development before we are born. Firstly we are working out which genes are important where and when in an embryo. This is because our development is how we describing going form just a single fertilised egg cell into a fully sized baby, a very complicated process! What we do know is some of the genes needed for specific bits. For example there is a gene called sonic hedgehog (I know, great name right!). When this gene isn’t controlled properly in development the embryo can develop with an extra finger.

      We now do a few pre-natal (before birth) genetic tests on babies to make sure we know if they will be born with any problems and so we can help them in the womb if something isn’t going quite right. We can test for some disorders where the baby may not develop their heart or lungs very well and this allows us to be ready for when they are born to put them in special care and help them with their breathing or heart problems.

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