• Question: Are all diseases genetic?

    Asked by H2005 to Chris, Hayley, Jimi on 17 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Jimi Wills

      Jimi Wills answered on 17 Mar 2016:

      No. But most at least have a genetic element to them…

      for example, malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. But sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disease. But if you have sickle cell anaemia you are largely immune to malaria!

    • Photo: Hayley Moulding

      Hayley Moulding answered on 17 Mar 2016:

      No they aren’t. Good question. Some disease can be contracted (so you get them). However this doesn’t mean they have nothing to do with your genetics though. The disease might change your genetics slightly. HIV is a virus which can cause AIDS which is a disease. For AIDS to develop, the HIV changes the way cells are form and it does it by interfering with your DNA and the way DNA works. It changes your genetics. You aren’t born with HIV unless, you might be if your Mum or Dad has it. This is because the disease has changed the genetics a bit.

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