This is caused by the inheritance of two abnormal genes, one from each parent.
Genes control the complex chemistry of the body and are passed on from patients to their children.
Studies have shown that about 1 in 250 to 400Caucasians inherit both of the defective genes that cause hemochromatosis. Patients with hemochromatosis accumulate excessive amounts of iron in the liver and this eventually can lead to the development of cirrhosis, and in many cases, cancer of the liver. Scientists believe that if the hemochromatosis gene can be precisely located, characterized, and differentiated from the thousands of other genes, then those at risk for developing hemochromatosis could be identified specifically and treated before they have any complications of the disease. It is known that the gene is on the short arm of chromosome 6. At the meeting, investigators noted that a large unidentified region of this chromosome still exists and it is expected that the hemochromatosis gene is within that region.