Which genetic disease is most commonly found in Caucasian populations?

Cystic fibrosis is the genetic disease most commonly found in Caucasian populations due to its higher prevalence among individuals of European descent. It is caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, which plays a vital role in regulating salt and water movement in cells. This leads to the production of thick, sticky mucus that can cause serious respiratory and digestive problems.

The mutation responsible for cystic fibrosis is more common in individuals with Northern European ancestry, resulting in a carrier frequency of about 1 in 25 people in this population. This higher incidence is linked to evolutionary factors, such as the hypothesis that carriers may have had some advantage in surviving certain historical infections, leading to a higher prevalence of the gene within these populations.

In contrast, while Down syndrome, sickle cell anemia, and hemophilia have their own significant occurrences and genetic implications, they do not show the same level of population specificity in Caucasians as cystic fibrosis does. Down syndrome is typically caused by a chromosomal anomaly rather than a specific gene mutation, sickle cell anemia is most prevalent in African and Mediterranean populations, and hemophilia often has a more global distribution without a clear predominance in Caucasians.