The Chromosomal Origins of Sex-Specific Disease

We’d all like to believe that when we pass down our genes, we’re giving our children an equal shot at a healthy life. Unfortunately, our chromosomes conspire against this. Females carry two X chromosomes, while males carry one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. This fundamental difference generates some sex-specific and gender-specific health outcomes. When parents’ genes recombine and assemble into the chromosomes found in every one of a developing baby’s cells, boys inherit a built-in disadvantage: they have a greater risk of being born with certain genetic diseases.