Single-gene Disorders This type of genetic disease is caused by a change or mutation in the DNA sequence of one gene that alters its protein product. These diseases show Mendelian patterns of inheritance. Autosomal dominant disorders can be transmitted from parent to child through one or more generations, or can be the result of a new mutation. Males and females are equally affected. Some examples are Huntington's disease, dwarfism, and albinism. Usually when a child is born with an autosomal recessive disorder each parent has both a mutant and functioning copy of the allele so they are not affected. Cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and Tay-Sachs disease are some examples of autosomal recessive diseases. Examples of sex-linked genetic diseases are hemophilia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and red/green colorblindness. These disorders are rarely seen in females.

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