When we talk about genetic diseases or hereditary conditions, there is often confusion between these terms. Ultimately, both \u201cgenetics\u201d and \u201chereditary\u201d refer to our DNA and our genetic makeup. However, we need to distinguish between genetic and hereditary, as the two terms are not necessarily interchangeable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While both genetic and hereditary diseases are determined by mutations in our DNA, not all genetic diseases are passed down through families. Only those that are transmitted from generation to generation are hereditary.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n All hereditary diseases are genetic, but not all genetic diseases are hereditary. To understand the differences between these two concepts, we must first look at the definitions and characteristics of each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Genetic diseases are pathologies that occur due to an alteration in our genetic material or DNA.<\/strong> Mutations can be caused by errors in DNA replication or by environmental factors (for example, cigarette smoke or radiation exposure). In this case, the disease can manifest at any age. Genetic diseases may or may not be inherited from parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A hereditary disease is caused by alterations in genetic material, transmitted from parents to children.<\/strong> While there is also a change in DNA, the key feature here is the fact that the disease is transmitted, because the alteration is present in all cells of the organism, including germline cells, as we will explain below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We know that DNA is passed from one generation to the next, so the question is how some genetic diseases avoid becoming hereditary. To understand this, we first need to briefly examine DNA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DNA <\/a>DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a complex molecule that forms the building block of our genetic makeup. It can be found in virtually every cell in our body and contains the instructions necessary to create and maintain life.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our genome (the entire set of our DNA) can be considered the \u201cgenetic book of life.\u201d This is where we find our genes, sections of DNA that give rise to the proteins that carry out various functions in our body. Interestingly, only the 2'1T3T sequence of DNA leads to the creation of proteins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DNA is a very long molecule, often represented as the helical shape we are all so familiar with. DNA, along with other molecules, forms what is known as chromatin. When cells divide, the chromatin compacts as much as possible, and this is what creates chromosomes. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. In each pair, we inherit one chromosome from our mother and one from our father, for a total of 46 chromosomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From the moment the egg is fertilized and a zygote is formed, our DNA is defined, and we have the 46 chromosomes mentioned earlier. While cells divide constantly throughout our lives (giving rise to new cells), it is during embryonic development that they divide at the fastest rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because cells are dividing rapidly during embryonic development, the genetic material they contain is also divided, synthesized, and distributed among the new cells. The result is that we will have two daughter cells that are completely identical to each other, originating from the original cell. This process is called mitosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mitosis is a very efficient mechanism, which includes a series of points <\/a>of control <\/a>Along the way, checkpoints are used to verify that the process continues correctly. However, there is still a possibility that errors can occur in the DNA sequence, escaping these checkpoints. These are known as DNA mutations or genetic alterations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A change in DNA does not always imply disease. In some cases, a change has no implications, while other changes affect the structure of the protein encoded by the gene, causing a disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what is the difference between genetics and heredity, given that either occurs as a genetic alteration? The key to answering this question is when and where the alteration occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We need to see one more distinction between our cells before we can fully understand the difference between genetic and hereditary diseases. This relates to two types of cells: germline vs. somatic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Germline cells<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Germline cells are sex cells, that is, eggs and sperm.<\/strong>. These are the cells that transmit DNA to the next generation and are key to sexual reproduction. It is important to note that The DNA contained in the germline cells is the only one that is passed from the father to the child.<\/strong> This is how genetic information is transmitted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the father has a mutation in his germline cells, his eggs or sperm will be affected by it, carrying it with them in the new cells of his child. If the mutation in question is one that causes a disease, this will be an inherited disease.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Apart from eggs and sperm, all other cells are somatic cells. Any mutation in the DNA in this type of cell will determine genetic diseases, but they will not be hereditary because they are not transmitted to the person's offspring.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A good example of how they work hereditary diseases <\/strong>This is the case with some hereditary cancers. Researchers have discovered that many genes help repair DNA to prevent, for example, breast cancer. The best-known genes involved in the development of breast cancer are: BRCA1 <\/em>y BRCA2.<\/em> Having a mutation in he <\/em>gen BRCA1 <\/em>It increases the risk of developing breast cancer by up to 87%, a very high risk compared to the general population's risk of 12%. If a person has a mutation in the gene BRCA1 <\/em>In their germline cells, this mutation could be passed on to their offspring, who will inherit this increased risk of breast cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hereditary cancer accounts for approximately 5-20% of all cancers, while the most common cause of cancer is acquired mutations that occur in somatic cells. These mutations can appear throughout a person's life and become more frequent with age, leading to tumor growth. That said, the key difference between genetic and hereditary disease lies in whether the gene mutation causing the disease is present in germline cells. Ultimately, germline mutations lead to hereditary diseases, while mutations in somatic cells lead to genetic diseases that are not hereditary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Zogen, we offer My Genome<\/a>, MyGenome is a whole-genome sequencing and interpretation service designed to help prevent inherited diseases and improve your health. The test provides key genetic information to the patient and their doctor to tailor the individual's lifestyle and healthcare. MyGenome is the most comprehensive preventative genetic test for healthy individuals, looking for germline mutations and much more. Don't hesitate to contact us.\u00a0contact us\u00a0<\/a>for more details.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Cuando hablamos de enfermedades gen\u00e9ticas o afecciones hereditarias, a menudo hay confusi\u00f3n entre estos t\u00e9rminos. En \u00faltima instancia, tanto “gen\u00e9tica” como “hereditarias” se refieren a nuestro ADN y a nuestra composici\u00f3n gen\u00e9tica. Sin embargo, tenemos que marcar la diferencia entre gen\u00e9tico y hereditario, ya que los dos t\u00e9rminos no son necesariamente intercambiables. Si bien tanto […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":950,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-949","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n<\/a>Difference between genetic and hereditary disease: Key definitions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>A brief description of our DNA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Genetic alterations: What are they and how are they detected?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Germline and somatic cells: the real difference between genetic and hereditary diseases<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Somatic cells<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Which is the most comprehensive genetic study?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n