No, having six fingers is not inherently a dominant trait; however, some forms of polydactyly (the condition of having extra fingers or toes) are dominant.
Understanding Polydactyly and Inheritance
Polydactyly isn't a single, uniform condition. Different types exist, each with its own genetic basis. Crucially, some forms of polydactyly are inherited as dominant traits, while others are recessive.
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Dominant Polydactyly: If a parent has a dominant form of polydactyly, their child has a 50% chance of inheriting the condition and also having extra digits. This is because only one copy of the dominant gene is needed to express the trait. This is supported by the statement: "Studies have found that some forms of polydactyly are dominant traits. This means that if one biological parent carries the genetic code for it, their babies have a 50% chance of being born with polydactyly."
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Recessive Polydactyly: Other forms of polydactyly are recessive. This means both parents must carry the gene for the child to have the condition.
What This Means for Six Fingers
The presence of six fingers is a symptom of polydactyly. Whether this specific instance is dominant or recessive depends entirely on the type of polydactyly. Without knowing the specific genetic basis for the extra finger, we cannot definitively classify it as dominant or recessive.
