Additional Support and Thanks

• Vision Australia:http://www.visionaustralia.org

• Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB):http://www.cnib.ca/en/Pages/default.aspx
• World Blind Union:http://www.worldblindunion.org/English/Pages/default.aspx

• OPC Preserving Sight:http://www.opc.asso.fr/?lang=en

• Fighting Blindness:https://www.fightingblindness.ie

• Sightsavers: https://www.sightsavers.ie

• CBM:http://www.cbm.ie

• Royal London Society for Blind People:http://www.rsbc.org.uk

• American Council of the Blind:http://acb.org

• Lighthouse Guide: https://www.lighthouseguild.org
• Vision Aware: https://www.visionaware.org/default.aspx
• Foundation Fighting Blindness: http://www.blindness.org
• Orbis International: http://gbr.orbis.org/en

• SEE International:https://www.seeintl.org

Amniocentesis. A test that is used to take a sample to test an unborn baby’s genes or chromosomes. The baby is surrounded by fluid in the womb. The fluid contains a few of the babies’ skin cells. A small sample of the fluid is taken with a thin needle, through the skin of the mother’s abdomen (tummy or belly). The fluid is sent to a laboratory for testing

Autosomal. Involving the autosomes.

Autosomal dominant genetic conditions. These are conditions whereby a person needs only to inherit one changed copy (mutation) of the gene in order to be affected by the condition, or become affected by the condition later in life. The changed gene is dominant over the normal gene.

Autosomal recessive genetic conditions. These are conditions whereby a person has to inherit two changed copies (mutation) of the gene (a changed copy from each parent) to be affected by the condition. A person who has only one copy of the changed gene will be an unaffected carrier.

Autosomes. We have 23 pairs of chromosomes. Pairs number 1 to 22 are called autosomes and look the same in men and women. Pair number 23 are different in men and women and are called the sex chromosomes.

Balanced translocation. An rearrangement of chromosomal material between two locations but where no chromosomal material is lost or gained. A person with a balanced translocation does not usually have any symptoms or develop conditions.

Cell. The human body is made up of millions of cells, which act like building blocks. Cells in different parts of the body look different and do different things. Every cell (except for eggs in women and sperm in men) contains two copies of each gene.

Chorionic villus sampling. A test that is done during pregnancy to take cells in order to test the baby’s genes or chromosomes for specific genetic conditions. A small number of cells are taken from the developing placenta and sent to a laboratory for testing. For more information see the Chorionic Villus Sampling leaflet.

Chromosomes. Thread-like structures which can be seen under the microscope and contain the genes. The usually number of chromosomes in humans is 46. One set of 23 chromosomes we inherit from our mother and one set of 23 chromosomes we inherit from our father.

Conception. The joining of an egg and a sperm to make the first cell of a new baby.

Deletion. The omission of a part of the genetic material; the term can be used to describe either a missing area of a gene or a chromosome.

De novo. Phrase from the Latin language, meaning “from new”. Used to describe a gene or chromosome which is “new”, i.e. both that person’s parents have normal genes or chromosomes.

DNA. A chemical substance which makes up the genes, and which contains the information needed for the body to work.

Duplication. The abnormal repetition of a sequence of genetic material in a gene or chromosome.

Egg. The mother’s contribution to the cell which will go on to make a new baby. The egg contains 23 chromosomes; one from each pair in the mother. The egg joins with a sperm to make a complete cell. A baby develops from this first cell. 

Embryo. An early stage of human development. The embryo develops from the first cell in the very early stages of pregnancy. It arises after fertilisation of an egg by a sperm. It does not look like a baby yet, but is made up of the cells that will develop into a baby.

Family tree. A diagram to show the people in your family who do and do not have the genetic condition, and how they are related to you and to each other.

Fetus. The period of pregnancy when the baby develops from the end of the embryo phase to a newborn i.e. from the 9th week after fertilization until birth.

Gene. A unit of DNA which provides information needed for the body to work and produce proteins.

Genetic. Caused by or concerning genes. A condition or disease caused by an abnormality in a gene or chromosome.

Genetic counselling. Information and support for people who are concerned about a condition which may have a genetic basis

Genetic counsellor. A specialist who gives information and support to people who are concerned about a condition which may have a genetic basis. (Is this term used in your country? If not it might be better to leave out this entry.)

Genetic test. A test which can help identify if there is a change in a particular gene or chromosome. It is usually a blood or tissue test.

Hereditary condition. One that is inherited (passed down through families).

Insertion. The introduction of additional genetic material into a gene or chromosome. For more information see the Chromosome Changes leaflet.

Inversion. An alteration in the sequence of genes along a particular chromosome..

Karyotype. A description of the chromosome structure of an individual including the number of chromosomes, the type of sex chromosomes (XX or XY) and any variation from the normal pattern.

Negative result. A test result which shows that the person tested does not have the change (mutation) in the gene.

Sperm. The father’s contribution to the cell which will grow to form a new baby. Each sperm contains 23 chromosomes; one from each pair in the father. The sperm joins with an egg to make a complete cell. A baby develops from this first cell.

Positive result. A test result which shows that the person tested does have the change (mutation) in the gene. 

Predictive testing. A genetic test for a condition that may or will occur later in life. When the genetic test is for a condition that will almost certainly develop the condition in the future, the test is sometimes called a presymptomatic test.

Penatal diagnosis. Test during a pregnancy for the presence or absence of a genetic condition in the baby.

Pesymptomatic test. See predictive test.

Seciprocal translocation. A reciprocal translocation occurs when two fragments break off from two different chromosomes and swap places.

Ring chromosome. Term used when the ends of a chromosome have joined together in a ring shape

Robertsonian translocation. A Robertsonian translocation occurs when one chromosome attaches to another and is the most common form of human translocation e.g. Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome).

X chromosome. One of the sex chromosomes. Females usually have two X chromosomes. Males usually have one X and one Y chromosome.

X-linked conditions. A genetic condition caused by a mutation (change) in a gene on the X chromosome. X linked conditions include haemophilia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and fragile X syndrome.

1. This genotype represents the usual sex chromosomes of a female. Females usually have two X chromosomes. One X chromosome is inherited from each parent.
2. This represents the sex chromosomes of a male. Males usually have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. A male inherits his X chromosome from his mother and his Y chromosome from his father.

Y chromosome. One of the sex chromosomes. Males usually have one Y chromosome and one X chromosome.

X chromosome. Females usually have two X chromosomes.