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Definition of Trait, dominant lethal
Medically reviewed by Dr. Otari Nergadze, Neurosurgeon | Updated: January 2026
Trait, dominant lethal: A genetic trait that, if present in the genome of the individual, is expressed and therefore precludes the individual's having descendants. All such cases with a dominant lethal trait must necessarily be sporadic and must represent new mutations, not inherited ones because a potential parent with the trait would die and not be able to pass it along.