Genetics Question-MS

[Anonymous]

Ok so MS runs in my family. My aunt has it, and I had another aunt that had it that died. The doctors don't understand why my mom doesn't have it because all her sisters had it and she should have it. Which kinda raises the question that maybe her dad wasn't actually her real dad. But that is a different story ha ha So obviously I am a carrier of the MS gene (well unless my mom's dad isn't her real dad). My boyfriend is also a carrier of the MS gene. So, let's say we were to get married and have a child. Would our child definitely have MS or is it just a higher risk? I know if the time comes we would need to see a genetic counselor. I have been reading some stuff online and I couldn't get a definite answer but I don't physically have MS and neither does he. That seemed to play a role in passing it down based on what I read online. Also I don't know of anyone in his family that actually has the disease, so he may just be a carrier from generations ago. Does anyone know about this?

[brownchic]

Ms is not sexlinked disease .. Or autosomal disease.. Its an autoimmune disease which means you can get it with expose to enviormental factors tooo.. Its due to complex gene interaction doesn't neccessarily have to be sex linked .. That's why your mom did not have the disease but she might have been a carrier .. Thas why you and your bro are carriers as well because guys have one x and one why and you are mom contributed x to him see its not sex linked disease otherwise he would also have it the disease. I hope this helps

[Impex]

What you could do to determine wether you have it for sure or not is to go to the doctor and have him perform what is called a Karyotype, which they look as the genes you have and determine if you have any abnormalities.

Anyways if you do have the trait and your boyfriend does and you both have children there is a one to 4 chance that your children will have it. a 1:4 Ratio, it seems similar to sickle cell, which can be inherited and if people have children with aother carrier there is a 1:4 chance.

[Asker]

Yea, I realize I need to do all that sort of thing but it is too early now. I was gonna go through all that when the time comes and I am ready to have children. But thanks for your answer that is reassuring that it's not an extremely high chance :)

[Impex]

No problem, hope all goes well.

[martyfellow]

The genetics is not so absolute; most people's brothers and sisters don't have MS even if one member of the family does. No one knows the exact cause of this disease although clearly it is basically genetic... And the odds are your children won't especially if there isn

't any MS in your partner's family, in fac the odds would be VERY overwhelming your kids would't have it, although I could't tell you the exact perecentage risk. Any MD could give you a clearer pricture.

[jmr2191]

Doctors are not sure of the exact causes of autoimmune diseases- only possibilities. Systemic lupus runs in my family, but my last direct family member to have it was my great-grandfather. The rest were cousins. Now, I'm being tested for systemic lupus. It depends not only on genetics, but on environmental, psychological and social events in life. A karyotype won't definitively determine your child's likelihood of developing MS.

[AllDay]

I'm not a doctor but I know the more people that have the gene; the higher the chance the offspring will get the gene.

Gene's (eyes, hair color, cancer, diabetes all of them) are either dominant or recessive.

The offspring will get the dominant and recessive but the dominant shows through

Sorry for not helping that much! =/