Myth #1: Only Caucasians have the cystic fibrosis gene.

Fact: Although Caucasians and people of European descent are the ones most likely to have the CF gene, people of any ethnicity can have it. The statistics below show CF mutations* broken down by race and ethnicity.

Caucasian

Odds that both parents are carriers: 1 in 625

Chance of having a child with CF: 1 in 2500

Mutation detection by screening: 90%

Hispanic American

Odds that both parents are carriers: 1 in 2,100

Chance of having a child with CF: 1 in 8,500

Mutation detection by screening: 57%

African American

Odds that both parents are carriers: 1 in 4,200

Chance of having a child with CF: 1 in 17,000

Mutation detection by screening: 69%

Asian American

Odds that both parents are carriers: 1 in 8,100

Chance of having a child with CF: 1 in 32,400

Mutation detection by screening: unknown

* the most commonly known 25 mutations

These statistics and probabilities will be very different for mixed race couples. This data is based on Genetic Medicine 4(5):379-91. 2002.