Frequency of chromosomal fluorescence polymorphism in normal persons and in clinical patients with diagnosed chromosome aberrations.

By means of a computer program the frequencies of the strongly fluorescent polymorphous chromosomal segments on chromosomes Nos. 3, 4, 13, 14, 15, 21, and 22 among 89 random normal persons and 247 persons suspected of having various chromosome aberrations were determined. It was discovered that: 1. In none of the 13 diagnosis categories are divergencies in frequency of autosomal fluorescence polymorphism, as compared to the normal group, statistically determinable. 2. A worthwhile comparison of the various frequencies of fluorescence polymorphism as recorded by the various investigators in not possible at present, since the applied methods of assessment differ too widely. 3. Standardization of the criteria of assessment and of the nomenclature for the polymorphous chromosomal segment would seem to be a matter of urgent necessity.