title: The role of genetic factors in maintaining health.
abstract: This article reviews the essential background information nurses need to help them understand how genetics influences health and ill-health. The typical human genetic make-up is described, along with an explanation of how changes to this can result in disease. The author also describes the characteristics of different patterns of inheritance.
authors.affiliation: NHS National Genetics Education and Development Centre, School of Care Sciences, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, Wales. mkirk@glam.ac.uk
authors.forename: Maggie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kirk
mesh_terms: D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000379:methods; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D040582:Inheritance Patterns / Q000235:genetics; D009729:Nursing / Q000379:methods*