Getting ASL Deficiency

ASLD is a genetic condition, and as such, is not contagious, and cannot be passed from person to person, unless it is inherited.

ASLD is an autosomal recessive condition. Autosomal means that the genes that code for the condition are found in non-sex-linked chromosomes**. Recessive means that two copies of the mutated gene must be present in the person’s genome in order for him to be affected. If not, the person just ends up a carrier.

Carriers are people who have only one copy of the gene and are thus unaffected, but perfectly capable of passing on the condition. Two carriers are required in order to produce an affected offspring. However, the chances of that happening are still 1 in 4, showing why ASLD is such a rare condition.

**Sex linked chromosomes refer to the X and Y chromosomes

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