Expressions such as "severe phenotype" are common in the literature, but I believe that is twisted jargon, as is “severe genotype.” I edit a lot of papers, and I always change the expression to "severe phenotypic abnormality" (in parallel to “severe genotypic abnormality”) or otherwise “severe-disease phenotype,” both of which are also found in the literature. Phenotype is either normal or abnormal, and if it is abnormal, it is the abnormality or the disease that is severe or mild. In this context, severe means of a great degree, and if a limb is severely malformed, it is the malformation that is of a great degree, not the limb itself. I would appreciate your opinions on this.
Dear Umair,
Thank you for your response. You do have a point because the author is referring to a particular disorder. At the same time, I am also thinking about giving in and accepting the usage.
Kind regards,
Amin
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Virus