What are the Implications of Balanced Rearrangements?
While balanced rearrangements do not involve loss or gain of genetic material, their implications can be significant:
Gene Disruption: If a rearrangement occurs within a gene or its regulatory elements, it can disrupt normal gene function, potentially leading to disease. Position Effect: A gene's function can be altered if it is relocated to a different chromosomal environment, affecting its expression. Reproductive Issues: Carriers of balanced rearrangements may have reproductive challenges, such as infertility or recurrent miscarriages, due to the production of unbalanced gametes.
