A Misconception About the Hardy–Weinberg Law. (22nd June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stark, Alan E.
• Is Part Of: Twin research and human genetics. Volume 24:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 160
• Page End: 162
• Publication Date: 2021-06-22
• Subjects: Hardy–Weinberg law -- triallelic system -- random mating -- independent gametes; Twins -- Periodicals; Multiple birth -- Periodicals; 618.25
• DOI: 10.1017/thg.2021.26
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1832-4274

Abstract

Abstract: The Hardy–Weinberg law of population genetics is usually associated with the notion of random mating of parents. A numerical example for a triallelic autosomal locus shows that an uncountable set of mating combinations can maintain Hardy–Weinberg proportions. Therefore, one cannot infer random mating in a population from the observation of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The mating system which ensures that the genotypic distribution of offspring is the same as that of the parents is specified.