Do gene mutations in the womb have a cause?

The answer to your first two questions are “sometimes.” Gene mutations are generally considered to be random and it is true that your genes mutate randomly all the time. The general rule of thumb is that a cell will generate about three mutations every time it divides. read more

De novo mutations may explain genetic disorders in which an affected child has a mutation in every cell in the body but the parents do not, and there is no family history of the disorder. Somatic mutations that happen in a single cell early in embryonic development can lead to a situation called mosaicism. read more

An abnormal change in a gene is called a mutation. Mutations in a gene can affect how it functions. For example, a mutation might stop a gene from working. Or it might keep a gene turned on all the time (even when it’s not needed). Either way, these can cause problems inside the cell. Gene mutations can be either inherited or acquired. read more