1. What is Gene Carrier Frequency?

Gene carrier frequency estimates the proportion of individuals in a population who carry one copy of a recessive gene mutation. It's calculated from disease incidence assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the gene carrier frequency equation:

Where:

• \( CF \) — Carrier frequency (dimensionless)
• \( I \) — Disease incidence (dimensionless)

Explanation: The equation assumes Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium where the carrier frequency is approximately twice the square root of the disease incidence for rare autosomal recessive disorders.

3. Importance of Carrier Frequency Calculation

Details: Calculating carrier frequency helps in genetic counseling, population screening programs, and estimating disease risk in populations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter disease incidence as a decimal between 0 and 1 (e.g., 0.0001 for 1 in 10,000 incidence).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What assumptions does this calculation make?
A: It assumes Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, random mating, no selection, no new mutations, and a large population size.

Q2: When is this calculation most accurate?
A: For rare autosomal recessive disorders where the carrier frequency is much higher than the disease incidence.

Q3: What are typical carrier frequencies?
A: For rare diseases, carrier frequencies typically range from 0.01 to 0.1 (1-10% of population).

Q4: How does this relate to genetic screening?
A: Knowing carrier frequencies helps determine the yield and cost-effectiveness of population screening programs.

Q5: What factors can affect actual carrier frequency?
A: Population bottlenecks, founder effects, consanguinity, and selection can all affect actual carrier frequencies.