Prof. Jaruzelska: From the point of view of genetics, men are the “weaker sex”

In genetics, the weak sex is… not women. It turns out that men are the weaker from the point of view of this science. Genetically programmed to live a shorter life without the protection of a second X chromosome that women possess. As science develops, more and more genetics shows its feminist character.

1. Since a woman has two X chromosomes, she is protected from many serious diseases. If there is a pathogenic mutation in one of the X chromosomes, the other chromosome remains healthy – explains Prof. Jadwiga Jaruzelska of the Department of Nucleic Acid Function of the Institute of Human Genetics of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Poznań
2. As the expert adds, men have only one copy of the X chromosome, they are not protected from this pathogenic process
3. There are over 200 diseases that are caused by mutations on the X chromosome. Some of them are very severe, significantly limiting independence or even fatal
4. Prof. Jaruzelska: Some diseases not directly related to the X chromosome are more severe in men. Men are more prone to SAR-CoV-2 infection and risk severe complications and even death from COVID-19
5. You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page

There are approximately three billion information signs in human DNA that define how the body should develop. DNA is not one whole – it is divided into portions located in 23 pairs of chromosomes, one of which is the sex chromosomes responsible for sex determination. In women, these are the XX chromosomes, in men they are XY. From a genetics point of view, it makes a huge difference.

Genetic gender equality does not exist

– In genetics, gender equality does not exist – men and women differ greatly in this respect, which is also reflected in immunity and the risk of developing chronic diseases. In genetics, the man is the “weaker sex”. – explains prof. Jadwiga Jaruzelska from the Department of Nucleic Acid Functions of the Institute of Human Genetics of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Poznań. – Since a woman has two X chromosomes, she is protected from many serious diseases. If there is a pathogenic mutation in one of the X chromosomes, the other chromosome remains healthy, preventing the disease from developing throughout the woman’s body. Men, because they have only one copy of the X chromosome, are not protected from this pathogenic process, they do not have an alternative gene that will take over the role of the one with the mutation, the professor continues.

It is of great importance in human life and health. The X chromosome contains about 900 genes and each of them may be affected by a pathogenic mutation. Because occurs in only one copy in the male, there is no alternative protection in the other copy that is identical – it is the woman who has this protective backup. There are over 200 diseases that are caused by mutations on the X chromosome. Some of them are very severe, severely disabling, or even fatal, such as various types of muscular dystrophy (atrophy). Also, some diseases not directly related to the X chromosome are more severe in men – for example, research on SARS-CoV-2 shows that men are a group more susceptible to infection with the virus and the risk of serious complications and even death from COVID-19.

1. Seven diseases that only men inherit in their genes

Half and half in procreation

The male Y chromosome is necessary for the production of sperm and if mutations in its genes are present, the male is infertile.

– Defects in the Y chromosome are the most common the cause of genetically determined infertility in men. The Y chromosome is very small, but it contains information vital to male reproductive health. Despite the fact that for centuries it was women who were blamed for the lack of a descendant in the family, research shows that the cause of infertility may apply to both women and men – admits Prof. Jaruzelska.

1. This research should be done by every man in 2021.

Male woman

The Y chromosome determines the male sex and develops the embryo into a man, but there are cases where, despite the presence of the Y chromosome, the embryo eventually develops into a woman. This has huge health and life consequences.

– Externally, a woman who has a Y chromosome does not show any symptoms, so she does not even know that she has a non-standard genetic picture. This problem becomes apparent at the age of puberty, when the young woman does not start to menstruate. This defect prevents the reproductive system from developing, the ovaries are not properly structured, and they do not produce eggs. Unfortunately, the awareness of this genetic problem is low in the society and only genetic research reveals it. A chromosome analysis is being carried out, which shows that this woman actually has male chromosomes, explains the professor.

Read also:

1. Prophylactic examinations for women after 20, 30, 40 and 50 years of age
2. WHO: breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world. It was ahead of lung cancer
3. It also occurs in men. The first symptoms are abdominal obesity and a decrease in libido

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