Avuncular
Deriving from the Latin word ‘avunculus’, which means ‘maternal uncle’, avuncular simply refers to an uncle. In medical genetics, an avuncular relationship describes that between uncles and their nieces and nephews – the feminine equivalent being materteral (referring to aunts). In many cultures, not least those in modern Western society, the role of uncle can be very important in a child’s upbringing. Indeed, it is not uncommon for many families to experience a state of avunculism, whereby a maternal uncle has a similar relationship with his nephews and nieces as he would if they were his own children.
Whilst the role of uncle, or aunt for that matter, can be fundamental to a child’s development, it is not merely limited to providing advice and sending cool Christmas presents. The avuncular relationship can be far more important. Indeed, it is sometimes the case that certain genetic diseases, for example multiple sclerosis (MS), can be observed as affecting avuncular pairs but not the biological mother or father. MS is a neurological disease that has complex or unknown inheritance patterns, therefore making it more difficult to spot the condition in its earliest stages in people whose parents have been unaffected. Moreover, where parent of origin effects are being sought or are crucial to the treatment of a particular condition, it can be extremely useful to look at the wider family for certain inherited conditions. For instance, the presence of avuncular pairs affecting MS sufferers means that, whilst the parents may remain unaffected, an uncle and his nephews or nieces can show signs of the same disease. Understanding avuncular trends is, therefore, a crucial aspect of medical genetic research and avuncular DNA testing.
