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family studies in genetics  

Definition

  • Family studies may be considered a key entry point for research into the role of inherited genetic variation in disease. There are three major kinds of family studies: (1) evaluations of the extent to which a disease or other trait of interest aggregates or clusters within families, and how it is transmitted across the generations; (2) linkage analyses aimed at pinpointing the specific location on one of the chromosomes of a gene containing a mutation that has a major or moderate effect on disease risk; and (3) association studies aimed at finding common gene variants that have smaller but still medically important effects on disease severity or disease incidence. [Source: Encyclopedia of Epidemiology; Family Studies in Genetics]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/family_studies_in_genetics

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