What causes Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic Fibrosis is caused by a defect in the gene called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene. This gene is responsible for producing a protein that controls the movement of salt and water in and out of the cells in your body, and people with cystic fibrosis, that gene doesn't function properly. We recieve one CFTR gene from each of our parents, offspring who inherit one abnormal CFTR gene from each parent will have Cystic Fibrosis. People who inheirit one abnormal gene and one normal gene will not have CF, but will be CF carriers. CF carriers have no symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis and lead normal lives but are able to pass it to their offspring. When two CF carriers have a child, that child has a 1/4 chance of inheireting two abnormal CFTR genes and having Cystic Fibrosis. A 1/4 chance that they will inherit two normal CFTR genes and not have CF or become a carrier. 2/4 chance of inheriting one normal and one abnormal CFTR gene and becoming a carrier of CF without getting it, just like their parents.