title: Genes and inheritance.
abstract: The information gained from the Human Genome Project and related genetic research will undoubtedly create significant changes in healthcare practice. It is becoming increasingly clear that nurses in all areas of clinical practice will require a fundamental understanding of basic genetics. This article provides the oncology nurse with an overview of basic genetic concepts, including inheritance patterns of single gene conditions, pedigree construction, chromosome aberrations, and the multifactorial basis underlying the common diseases of adulthood. Normal gene structure and function are introduced and the biochemistry of genetic errors is described.
authors.affiliation: Urologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Middelton
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Peters
mesh_terms: D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005826:Genetics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology; D009154:Mutation