Pedigree analysis in medical genetics

The following session we'll cover pedigree analysis in medical genetics, focusing on pedigree analysis as a foundational tool in medical genetics, examining how traits and disorders are inherited through family trees. We will investigate standard pedigree symbols, the construction of family histories, and the identification of key inheritance patterns such as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and linked. The lecture will highlight how pedigree analysis informs diagnosis, risk estimation, genetic counseling, and guides both clinical care and research. Finally, we will discuss the ongoing importance of pedigrees alongside modern genomic technologies for personalized and preventative medicine. Today, we will explore pedigree analysis, a cornerstone of medical genetics. Pedigree analysis studies family trees to understand how traits and genetic disorders are inherited across generations. Examining family histories reveals inheritance patterns, helps identify at risk individuals, and informs both diagnosis and counseling. Pedigrees are not just diagrams. They are vital clinical tools for uncovering genetic mechanisms and their implications for individuals and populations. A pedigree or family tree is a diagram showing family relationships and the occurrence of specific traits or diseases. Standard symbols are used, squares for males, circles for females, lines for relationships, and shading for affected individuals.