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Is this autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive?
A man named Grady Stiles performed in circuses as "Lobster Boy" a condition called ectrodactyly, or split-hand/spilt-foot syndrome(MIM225300). Lobster Boy had only two digits on each hand and foot, but was otherwise healthy, living long enough to see the trait appear in two of his four children. He added them to his traveling act. A Granddaughter has the condition too. Grady, who died in 1992, traced the family trail back six generations to William Stiles, born in 1805. Ectrodacryly may be inherited as an autosomal dominant or an autosomal recessive trait. Which one is the more likely explanation for the trait in this family? Cite a reason for your answer.
2 Answers
- EggLv 48 years agoFavorite Answer
Most likely autosomal dominant.
He would be heterozygous and his wife homozygous recessive. It is probable that 2 out of 4 of his children would be affected.
On the other hand, if it were autosomal recessive, he would be homozygous recessive and his wife would HAVE TO BE heterozygous in order for his children to have the disease. Since the allele encoding the disorder would be very rare, it would be very unlikely that his wife would be heterozygous. She would more likely be homozygous dominant, in which case none of his children would have the disorder. Additionally, his child would also have to marry a heterozygous person for him to have a granddaughter affected. Since it is so rare, it is very unlikely that he found a heterozygous wife and one of his children just happened to marry a heterozygous person.
