ABSTRACT

The basis of genetic inequality in man is genetic ‘polymorphism’, i.e. the presence of several alternative genes, with varied effects on development, at most gene loci. The distribution of genetic inequality within families and between families depends on chromosome segregation at germ cell formation. Because of this segregation, any individual couple may have children with a wide variety of genotypes, even though a child cannot (mutation apart) have a gene which is not present in one or other parent.