Can Radiation Cause Diseases Like Cystic Fibrosis?
Thursday, August 19th, 2010 at
7:56 am
Lulu asked:
I read that cystic fibrosis is caused by a mutation of the CFTR gene, so even though the condition is inherited is it possible that the environment plays a role in developing CF? For example, would the presence of mutagens such as UV radiation affect the frequency of CFTR mutations in a population? You can probably tell I’m not really a biologist, so please explain as though you were explaining to a child 
Tagged with: Cf • Mutation • Presence
Filed under: Cystic Fibrosis
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It is unlikely, yet possible for UV radiation to cause genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis. Here’s how it works: in order to have a recessive genetic disease like cystic fibrosis, you need 2 bad copies of the gene (one from mom, one from dad). In order to be passed on, mutations must be present in germ cells (sperm and eggs). These cells are generally protected from most environmental mutagens like UV light, but deeper penetrating radiation, or chemical carcinogens could cause mutation in the germ cells. Even if that did happen, most mutations do not result in disease – in fact, the protein that those genes code usually doesn’t even change. Environmental mutagens are more likely to cause disease in the people directly exposed to them than their children.