In as much as Phenylketonuria so rarely reproduce, why does such a disadvantagous gene persist in the population?

Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap Course List)
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ISBN:9781285866932
Author:Lauralee Sherwood
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Chapter11: The Blood
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Phenylketonuria is a heritable condition in humans characterized by inability to metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine because of failure to produce the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase. Among other symptoms. PKUs develop such severe mental retardation that they almost never reproduce. Phenylketonuria children are born to parent who are not phenylketonuria. In as much as Phenylketonuria so rarely reproduce, why does such a disadvantagous gene persist in the population?

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