Question

Describe how mutations lead to genetic variations

. Which appears to be more dangerous: the BRC1 or BRC2 mutation?
Analyze a woman’s risk of dying of cancer if she carries a mutated BRC1 gene.

Answer 1

Mutations refer to the modifications in DNA that can influence the genetic variation as genetic variation monitors various genes in the populations of organisms, giving genetic material for the natural selection.

The BRC1 mutation seems to be more threatful due to the percentage of deaths being 18 in comparison to the percentage of deaths with BRC1 being 2.8 percent.

If a woman carries a mutated BRC1 gene, then the threat of woman dying of cancer becomes higher in comparison if she carries a BRC2 gene, however, this is applicable if she inherits a harmful mutation in the BRC1 genes.

Answer 2

Both BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase risk of cancers. It appears that BRCA1 is more likely to cause cancer in 55% to 65% of women who have it, compared to 45% only in BRCA2. According to the NIH Nat’l Cancer Institute, BRCA1 carriers tend to suffer increased risk from having another cancer after having been treated with the first one, and also have cancers that are more difficult to treat.