There are many different theories on the topic of evolution. One of these is the concept of genetic inheritance. Genetic inheritance is the transmission of genes from parents to offspring. This happens during the process of meiosis in the formation of eggs and sperm. When the cell divides, the total number of chromosomes is halved. When the egg and sperm unite, half of the genes from each parent are passed on to the offspring (Mandal, 2013). The theory of evolution is defined as the change in heritable traits of a population through the next generation (Forbes, 2010). Change in genes over time leads to evolution. These changes occur through genetic inheritance, the passing of genes from parents to children, generation after generation. Genes are inherited through numerous processes. Autosomal dominant inheritance means that if a person carries one copy of that gene, the trait is likely to develop in their offspring (Mandal, 2013). The inherited gene is dominant over other genes. This means that only one parent can pass on the gene for the trait to be passed on. As seen in figure i) (bottom left), if a parent carries an altered gene for a dominant condition, each of his or her children has a 50% or 1 in 2 chance of inheriting the altered gene. This is the same for all children (Mandal, 2013). Autosomal recessive inheritance is the inheritance of the second working copy of a gene. With recessive genes, it is only if someone inherits two altered copies of the same gene from each of their parents are they likely to be expressed (Mandal, 2013). As seen in Figure ii) (bottom right), if both parents carry the defective gene on the alleles they are likely to pass the defective gene on to only 25% of their offspring.Characteristics...... middle of paper. ... ..children or not, depending on the risks. Without our extensive knowledge of genetic inheritance, parents would not have this opportunity to prevent any future genetically inherited disorders or diseases. Genetically modified vaccines are also a technology that was able to be created from the knowledge of genetic inheritance. A genetically modified vaccine is the deliberate modification of a gene to fight disease. Genes are programmed to produce an antiviral protein in a bacterial cell to fight disease (Unknown, 2011). The role that genetic inheritance will have to play in the future is very important. With continued study and genetic inheritance, a greater understanding of genetic diseases will improve treatments and therapies. The human species will continue to evolve through changing traits and characteristics; this is genetic inheritance.