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genetic load
noun
: the decrease in fitness of the average individual in a population relative to the fittest genotype due to the presence of deleterious genes in the gene pool
Examples of genetic load in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the proximate sense this purging of the genetic load occurs through human misery.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 25 Aug. 2010
For example, how much of the Sub-Saharan genetic load in modern Egyptians is post-Roman, and how much pre-Roman?
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 17 Jan. 2011
In fact with plants selfing lineages achieve just this state of mutational perfection by exposing their recessive alleles and purging their genetic load (this seems less attainable with complex animals).
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 July 2012
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'genetic load.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1950, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near genetic load
Cite this Entry
“Genetic load.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genetic%20load. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Medical Definition
genetic load
noun
: the decrease in fitness of the average individual in a population due to the presence of deleterious genes or genotypes in the gene pool
More from Merriam-Webster on genetic load
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about genetic load
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