Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHereditary vs. GeneticIn DiseasesIn AgingNature vs. Nurture
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Table of Contents
Hereditary vs. Genetic
In Diseases
In Aging
Nature vs. Nurture
The terms “hereditary” and “genetic” are related but have distinct meanings. Heredity refers to traits or characteristics that are passed down from parents to their children. Genetics more broadly refers to gene variations that may be inherited at conception or acquired later often due to environmental or lifestyle factors.
This article takes a closer look at the terms hereditary vs. genetic. It also provides examples to illustrate the relationship between them.
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Difference Between Hereditary vs. Genetic
While the term “genetic” is often used interchangeably with the term “hereditary,” these words don’t necessarily mean the same thing.
Heredity is a subset of genetics that focuses on how certain traits and conditions are passed down from one or both parents through genes. If something is hereditary, it can be directly traced to a person’s family history.
If something is hereditary, it is also genetic. But the same cannot be said in reverse: If something is genetic, it is not always passed down from a person’s parents. Genetic variations may also be acquired due to a variety of external factors.
What Are Somatic Mutations?
Some genetic variations result from alterations in DNA that occur afterconceptionor during a person’s lifetime. These variations are called somatic mutations or somatic variants.
Somatic mutations arise spontaneously when DNA gets damaged and is not repaired during DNA replication, the process when DNA is copied to produce new cells.Errors in DNA replication can result in somatic mutations in the newly formed DNA strands. Humans also develop somatic mutations as a natural part ofaging.
The DNA damage that leads to somatic mutations can also occur as a result of:
Somatic mutations can contribute to a number of genetic diseases. But, these mutations and any traits or conditions that result from them are genetic, not hereditary, because they cannot be passed down to future offspring.
What Are Germline Mutations?
Germline mutations, also known as germline variants and hereditary mutations, are mutations that occur in the DNA of reproductive cells (sperm and egg), and are inherited during conception.
A number of hereditary diseases are associated with germline mutations, including:
Inheriting a germline mutation from one or both parents does not guarantee that you will develop a disease associated with it, but it does increase your risk. Genetic testing and regular diseases screenings can significantly reduce your risk of hereditary diseases.
What Is Genetic Testing?
Hereditary vs. Genetic in Diseases
Both hereditary and genetic factors can play a role in a number of different diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.
Cancer
Cancerdevelops as a result of mutations in the DNA of cells that cause those cells to divide uncontrollably. For this reason it is primarily considered a genetic disease.
Some genetic mutations that cause cancer are hereditary, meaning that they are inherited from parents and increase the risk of cancer. When a cancer runs in a family, it is usually considered a hereditary cancer.
Hereditary and Acquired Gene Mutations: Differences in Cancer
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s diseaseis a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Less than 5% of all Alzheimer’s disease cases are hereditary.
For the majority of people with Alzheimer’s disease, the exact cause is not clear. However, a combination of genetic factors, as well as environmental and lifestyle factors that influence the way genes work, are thought to play a role in its development.
Diabetes
Type 1 and type 2 diabeteshave different causes. Type 1 diabetes happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks cells in the pancreas the make insulin. Type 2 diabetes happens when the pancreas does not make enough insulin and cells in the body respond to insulin poorly.
Family and twin studies have reported heritability in 20% to 80% of diabetes cases. Additionally, research shows that people who have a first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes are three times more likely to develop the disease than people who do not have a family history of it.
Diabetes is not entirely hereditary, though. Researchers believe that people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes inherit a genetic predisposition to the disease, then something in the environment triggers it. Cold weather, certain viral infections, and diet in early childhood, are all possible triggers implicated in the development of diabetes.
Is Diabetes Genetic?
Heredity vs. Genetics in Aging
The Answer to Nature vs. Nurture
Nature vs. nurture is no longer a debate, thanks to the growing health science field of epigenetics. This emerging area of research shows how environmental influences (“nurture”) can affect the expression of genes (“nature”). This explains how genetically identical twins have different skills, behaviors, health, and more. In short, the answer to the debate of nature vs. nurture is that it is almost alwaysboth.
How Does Intergenerational Trauma Work?
Summary
Heredity and genetics often overlap, but they don’t mean the same thing. If a trait or disease is hereditary, it is transmitted from one or both parents to a child. The term “genetic” is more broad; it refers to any variation in genes, whether inherited or acquired.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Miller School of Medicine.What is genetic research?.National Cancer Institute.Definition of somatic mutation.Manders F, van Boxtel R, Middelkamp S.The dynamics of somatic mutagenesis during life in humans.Front Aging. 2021 Dec;2(1):802407. doi:10.3389/fragi.2021.802407Gusho E, Laimins L.Human papillomaviruses target the DNA damage repair and innate immune response pathways to allow for persistent infection.Viruses. 2021 Jul;13(7):1390. doi:10.3390/v13071390Sharifi-Rad M, Kumar N, Zucca P, et al.Lifestyle, oxidative stress, and antioxidants: Back and forth in the pathophysiology of chronic diseases.Front Physiol. 2020 Jul;11(1):1-21. doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.00694Miller M, Reed H, Walsh C.Brain somatic mutation in aging and Alzheimer’s disease.Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet. 2021 Aug;22(1):239-256. doi:10.1146/annurev-genom-121520-081242National Cancer Institute.Definition of germline mutation.Makarova M, Nemtsova M, Danishevich A, et al.The CFTR gene germline heterozygous pathogenic variants in Russian patients with malignant neoplasms and healthy carriers: 11,800 WGS results.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 May;24(9):7940. doi:10.3390/ijms24097940National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Huntington’s disease.Yurgelun M, Hampel H.Recent advances in Lynch syndrome: Diagnosis, treatment, and cancer prevention.CPHGE. 2018 May;38(1). doi:10.1200/EDBK_208341National Cancer Institute.BRCA gene mutations: Cancer risk and genetic testing.American Cancer Society.Genetics and cancer.UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences.Familial Alzheimer’s disease.National Institute on Aging.Alzheimer’s disease genetics fact sheet.Goyal S, Rani J, Bhat M, Vanita V.Genetics of diabetes.World J Diabetes. 2023 Jun;14(6):656-679. doi:10.4239/wjd.v14.i6.656Johansson B, Thorvaldsson V.What matters and what matters most for survival after age 80? A multidisciplinary exploration based on twin data.Front Psychol. 2021;12:723027. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.723027Passarino G, De Rango F, Montesanto A.Human longevity: Genetics or Lifestyle? It takes two to tango.Immunity & Ageing. 2016;13(1):12. doi: 10.1186%2Fs12979-016-0066-zHarvard University Center on the Developing Child.Epigenetics and child development: How children’s experiences affect their genes.Additional ReadingWhat is a gene? US National Institutes of Health “Genetics Home Reference” Public Information Sheet.https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/basics/gene
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Miller School of Medicine.What is genetic research?.National Cancer Institute.Definition of somatic mutation.Manders F, van Boxtel R, Middelkamp S.The dynamics of somatic mutagenesis during life in humans.Front Aging. 2021 Dec;2(1):802407. doi:10.3389/fragi.2021.802407Gusho E, Laimins L.Human papillomaviruses target the DNA damage repair and innate immune response pathways to allow for persistent infection.Viruses. 2021 Jul;13(7):1390. doi:10.3390/v13071390Sharifi-Rad M, Kumar N, Zucca P, et al.Lifestyle, oxidative stress, and antioxidants: Back and forth in the pathophysiology of chronic diseases.Front Physiol. 2020 Jul;11(1):1-21. doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.00694Miller M, Reed H, Walsh C.Brain somatic mutation in aging and Alzheimer’s disease.Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet. 2021 Aug;22(1):239-256. doi:10.1146/annurev-genom-121520-081242National Cancer Institute.Definition of germline mutation.Makarova M, Nemtsova M, Danishevich A, et al.The CFTR gene germline heterozygous pathogenic variants in Russian patients with malignant neoplasms and healthy carriers: 11,800 WGS results.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 May;24(9):7940. doi:10.3390/ijms24097940National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Huntington’s disease.Yurgelun M, Hampel H.Recent advances in Lynch syndrome: Diagnosis, treatment, and cancer prevention.CPHGE. 2018 May;38(1). doi:10.1200/EDBK_208341National Cancer Institute.BRCA gene mutations: Cancer risk and genetic testing.American Cancer Society.Genetics and cancer.UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences.Familial Alzheimer’s disease.National Institute on Aging.Alzheimer’s disease genetics fact sheet.Goyal S, Rani J, Bhat M, Vanita V.Genetics of diabetes.World J Diabetes. 2023 Jun;14(6):656-679. doi:10.4239/wjd.v14.i6.656Johansson B, Thorvaldsson V.What matters and what matters most for survival after age 80? A multidisciplinary exploration based on twin data.Front Psychol. 2021;12:723027. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.723027Passarino G, De Rango F, Montesanto A.Human longevity: Genetics or Lifestyle? It takes two to tango.Immunity & Ageing. 2016;13(1):12. doi: 10.1186%2Fs12979-016-0066-zHarvard University Center on the Developing Child.Epigenetics and child development: How children’s experiences affect their genes.Additional ReadingWhat is a gene? US National Institutes of Health “Genetics Home Reference” Public Information Sheet.https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/basics/gene
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Miller School of Medicine.What is genetic research?.National Cancer Institute.Definition of somatic mutation.Manders F, van Boxtel R, Middelkamp S.The dynamics of somatic mutagenesis during life in humans.Front Aging. 2021 Dec;2(1):802407. doi:10.3389/fragi.2021.802407Gusho E, Laimins L.Human papillomaviruses target the DNA damage repair and innate immune response pathways to allow for persistent infection.Viruses. 2021 Jul;13(7):1390. doi:10.3390/v13071390Sharifi-Rad M, Kumar N, Zucca P, et al.Lifestyle, oxidative stress, and antioxidants: Back and forth in the pathophysiology of chronic diseases.Front Physiol. 2020 Jul;11(1):1-21. doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.00694Miller M, Reed H, Walsh C.Brain somatic mutation in aging and Alzheimer’s disease.Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet. 2021 Aug;22(1):239-256. doi:10.1146/annurev-genom-121520-081242National Cancer Institute.Definition of germline mutation.Makarova M, Nemtsova M, Danishevich A, et al.The CFTR gene germline heterozygous pathogenic variants in Russian patients with malignant neoplasms and healthy carriers: 11,800 WGS results.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 May;24(9):7940. doi:10.3390/ijms24097940National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Huntington’s disease.Yurgelun M, Hampel H.Recent advances in Lynch syndrome: Diagnosis, treatment, and cancer prevention.CPHGE. 2018 May;38(1). doi:10.1200/EDBK_208341National Cancer Institute.BRCA gene mutations: Cancer risk and genetic testing.American Cancer Society.Genetics and cancer.UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences.Familial Alzheimer’s disease.National Institute on Aging.Alzheimer’s disease genetics fact sheet.Goyal S, Rani J, Bhat M, Vanita V.Genetics of diabetes.World J Diabetes. 2023 Jun;14(6):656-679. doi:10.4239/wjd.v14.i6.656Johansson B, Thorvaldsson V.What matters and what matters most for survival after age 80? A multidisciplinary exploration based on twin data.Front Psychol. 2021;12:723027. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.723027Passarino G, De Rango F, Montesanto A.Human longevity: Genetics or Lifestyle? It takes two to tango.Immunity & Ageing. 2016;13(1):12. doi: 10.1186%2Fs12979-016-0066-zHarvard University Center on the Developing Child.Epigenetics and child development: How children’s experiences affect their genes.
Miller School of Medicine.What is genetic research?.
National Cancer Institute.Definition of somatic mutation.
Manders F, van Boxtel R, Middelkamp S.The dynamics of somatic mutagenesis during life in humans.Front Aging. 2021 Dec;2(1):802407. doi:10.3389/fragi.2021.802407
Gusho E, Laimins L.Human papillomaviruses target the DNA damage repair and innate immune response pathways to allow for persistent infection.Viruses. 2021 Jul;13(7):1390. doi:10.3390/v13071390
Sharifi-Rad M, Kumar N, Zucca P, et al.Lifestyle, oxidative stress, and antioxidants: Back and forth in the pathophysiology of chronic diseases.Front Physiol. 2020 Jul;11(1):1-21. doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.00694
Miller M, Reed H, Walsh C.Brain somatic mutation in aging and Alzheimer’s disease.Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet. 2021 Aug;22(1):239-256. doi:10.1146/annurev-genom-121520-081242
National Cancer Institute.Definition of germline mutation.
Makarova M, Nemtsova M, Danishevich A, et al.The CFTR gene germline heterozygous pathogenic variants in Russian patients with malignant neoplasms and healthy carriers: 11,800 WGS results.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 May;24(9):7940. doi:10.3390/ijms24097940
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Huntington’s disease.
Yurgelun M, Hampel H.Recent advances in Lynch syndrome: Diagnosis, treatment, and cancer prevention.CPHGE. 2018 May;38(1). doi:10.1200/EDBK_208341
National Cancer Institute.BRCA gene mutations: Cancer risk and genetic testing.
American Cancer Society.Genetics and cancer.
UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences.Familial Alzheimer’s disease.
National Institute on Aging.Alzheimer’s disease genetics fact sheet.
Goyal S, Rani J, Bhat M, Vanita V.Genetics of diabetes.World J Diabetes. 2023 Jun;14(6):656-679. doi:10.4239/wjd.v14.i6.656
Johansson B, Thorvaldsson V.What matters and what matters most for survival after age 80? A multidisciplinary exploration based on twin data.Front Psychol. 2021;12:723027. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.723027
Passarino G, De Rango F, Montesanto A.Human longevity: Genetics or Lifestyle? It takes two to tango.Immunity & Ageing. 2016;13(1):12. doi: 10.1186%2Fs12979-016-0066-z
Harvard University Center on the Developing Child.Epigenetics and child development: How children’s experiences affect their genes.
What is a gene? US National Institutes of Health “Genetics Home Reference” Public Information Sheet.https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/basics/gene
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