What type of genetic inheritance is associated with cystic fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is associated with autosomal recessive inheritance. This means that a person must inherit two copies of the mutated CFTR gene, one from each parent, to express the condition. Individuals who inherit only one copy of the mutated gene are considered carriers and typically do not show symptoms of the disease.

In autosomal recessive disorders, the affected individuals generally have parents who are both carriers of the gene mutation but do not exhibit any symptoms themselves. The likelihood of two carriers having an affected child is 25% with each pregnancy, which highlights the recessive nature of the inheritance pattern.

This clear inheritance mechanism is foundational in understanding cystic fibrosis, which affects the CFTR protein involved in ion transport, leading to the characteristic symptoms such as thick mucus production and various complications in the respiratory and digestive systems. Recognizing this inheritance pattern is crucial for genetic counseling and understanding the risk of transmission to future generations.