I was taught that familial means 'occurring in family members more often
than would be expected by chance'. It does not necessarily mean that the
mechanism is genetic or inherited. Indeed, in epidemiology tuberculosis is
often given as an example of a familial disease, because it occurs in family
members.
James Hooper
Head, Dept Clinical Biochemistry,
Clinical Director Laboratory Medicine &
Divisional Director, Clinical Support Services
Royal Brompton Hospital
Sydney St,LONDON SW3 6NP. UK
email: [log in to unmask]
phone: 44 (0)171 351 8414
fax: 44 (0)171 351 8416
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