Fathers Pass Along More Mutations As They Age

ananyo writes "In the 1930s, the pioneering geneticist J. B. S. Haldane noticed a peculiar inheritance pattern in families with long histories of haemophilia. The faulty mutation responsible for the blood-clotting disorder tended to arise on the X chromosomes that fathers passed to their daughters, rather than on those that mothers passed down. Haldane subsequently proposed that children inherit more mutations from their fathers than their mothers, although he acknowledged that 'it is difficult to see how this could be proved or disproved for many years to come.' That year has finally arrived: whole-genome sequencing of dozens of Icelandic families has at last provided the evidence that eluded Haldane. Moreover, the study, published in Nature, finds that the age at which a father sires children determines how many mutations those offspring inherit. By starting families in their thirties, forties and beyond, men could be increasing the chances that their children will develop autism, schizophrenia and other diseases often linked to new mutations (abstract)."

Re:So...

[fuzzyfuzzyfungus]

But then isn't mutation the key to natural evolution?

Mutation and lots and lots and lots of trial and error, frequently with unpleasant consequences for the errors...

Re:By starting families in their thirties, forties

[Anonymous Coward]

I was 40 when my son was born, and I can't keep up with the little mutant (though I hear of a special school for kids like him out in Westchester County, NY). There's a reason people have kids in their 20's, it's a physically exhausting challenge.

But yeah, the mature relationship with my wife and stable financial situation are nice. Though I do wish I could stay awake past 8:30 PM.

Re:Cuts Both Ways

[CubicleZombie]

Although women's sex drive (supposedly) increase through late 30's, fertility does not. All that worry in your 20's about your girlfriend getting pregnant turn into worries in your 30's that your wife won't get pregnant.