In: Biology
7) A rare dominant genetic disorder has an allele frequency of 0.00002. It is estimated to reduce the fitness of affected individuals by 50%. Under mutation-selection balance affecting a dominant, the mutation rate is predicted to be about half the equilibrium allele frequency, or 0.00001. We’ll assume this is the case here.
A) What is the frequency of affected individuals? (You could calculate an exact answer, but try getting a simple approximation using the fact that homozygotes for the mutant allele would be exceptionally rare, and the frequency of the wild-type allele is very close to 1)
B) Suppose a medical treatment for the disorder was developed that, although extremely expensive, allowed affected individuals to live normal lives. If everyone who needed it received the treatment, there would no longer be any selection against the mutant allele. What would be the allele frequency after 10 generations in this case? (You need your calculator for an exact answer, but you are encouraged to try to come up with a good approximation first, using your intuition and pencil and paper. Then check it with a calculator).
C) What would be the predicted frequency of affected individuals after 10 generations? How would this compare to the original frequency?
D) In your opinion, would the answer to (C) make you pause before recommending that the treatment be made available to anyone who needs it, at government expense? Why or why not?
(The answer currently posted for this question is not correct)
7-:Frequency can be calculated by ..,
Frequency of Allele =Number of copies of Alleles/
Total number of Alleles or gene copy
A: the frequency of affected individuals can be calculated as-
Frequency of Allele =0.00001/0.00002=0.5(wild type close to 1)
Hence,the frequency of affected individuals is 0.5.
B:It is can be determined that if the frequency of affected individual is 0.5,then the frequency of affected individuals after 10generations wouldn't change...unless some mutations occurs again the gene pool.
C:Hence the frequency of affected individuals after 10generation is 0.5,which is approximate to original frequency.
D:Treatments related to disorders due to genetic problems can be made available to anyone with or without government expenses. Because some people who cannot afford to that expensive treatments can be made available with government expenses. It depends on once respectives to get the treatment according to their affordability..
It is also not necessary that the genetic disorders especially which are rare diseases may Cure.