Cystic fibrosis is caused by a mutation in a gene

that results in changes to a protein that regulates

the movement of salt in and out of cells, creating
mucus buildup in the body. This is a recessive
disorder, meaning that a child must inherit the
mutation from both parents in order to have a
disease. CF mainly affects the lungs, pancreas,
liver, intestines, sinuses, and sex organs.
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder causing
mental retardation, developmental delays and
health problems. Typically, the nucleus of each cell
contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, half of which
are inherited from each parent. Down syndrome
occurs when a person has extra genetic material
on chromosome 21.

Tay-Sachs disease is a rare inherited disorder

that progressively destroys nerve cells (neurons) in
the brain and spinal cord. The most common form
of Tay-Sachs disease becomes apparent in infancy.
Infants with this disorder typically appear normal
until the age of 3 to 6 months, when their
development slows and muscles used for
movement weaken. Affected infants lose motor
skills such as turning over, sitting, and crawling.

Children with this severe infantile form of Tay-Sachs

disease usually live only into early childhood.