Hereditary diseases are health problems that are passed from parents to offspring through defective genes, according to Steady Health.

Genes are responsible for carrying traits from parents to offspring. However, spontaneous or induced mutations may result in defective genes, some of which are responsible for a variety of inherited diseases.

Individuals can carry genes for certain hereditary diseases and never suffer from the genetic conditions, according to Genetics Home Reference.

It is important to seek genetic counseling regarding genetic predisposition to understand the probability of expressing certain hereditary diseases.