Hi Sabrina

The "Major and "Minor" alleles at any given SNP in any given population, are just that and no more - the major is present with higher frequency than the minor.

I personally never refer to the minor allele as a "mutant", preferring the term "variant". The reason for this is that "mutant" implies some functional causality ".. this is mutated in colon cancer". Not all alleles have a known functional role. Besides, "mutant" and "variant" are not the same. 

So - since people use the term "mutant" very loosely - particularly if their first language isnt English - this can cause confusion as you have already experienced. I'd stick with your use: "variant"

Good Luck

G

Hi Sabrina

The "Major and "Minor" alleles at any given SNP in any given population, are just that and no more - the major is present with higher frequency than the minor.

I personally never refer to the minor allele as a "mutant", preferring the term "variant". The reason for this is that "mutant" implies some functional causality ".. this is mutated in colon cancer". Not all alleles have a known functional role. Besides, "mutant" and "variant" are not the same. 

So - since people use the term "mutant" very loosely - particularly if their first language isnt English - this can cause confusion as you have already experienced. I'd stick with your use: "variant"

Good Luck

G