There are various adverse environmental factors affecting the genetic precursors, the gametes and fertilization. According to Burton, environmental effects that are experienced even before conception can sometimes be transmitted to later generations. In general, adverse environmental factors that are experienced in the early stages of life have the ability to cause developmental variations that are irreversible (Burton). The paper provides a discussion on how such environmental factors affect the genetic precursors, the gametes, and fertilization.

The genetics of an organism can be affected in a number of ways. One of the most common is that diseases are as a result of the adverse effects on the environment where the organism of residing and the genes of the organism. Some of the environmental factors determining the genetic composition of an organism are personal choices such as the type of food eaten, and external factors such as quality of air, and stress (Drake). The genes and the environment interact in ways such as gene-gene interactions, mutagens, epigenetics, and transcription factors.

Adverse environmental factors affect the gametes and the embryos after a period of time. For instance, the adverse effects after an oil spill will affect the gametes rather than the basic processes of reproduction. Other adverse environmental effects such as air pollution also affects gametes. According to Bloom et al, the buildup of environmental contaminants among populations undergoing infertility treatments provides a clear glimpse on the effects of the adverse environmental effects on gametes (Curley).

Fertilization can be affected by the environment also. The common scenario is when it becomes challenging to separate the relative influences of the environment and hereditary on human characteristics. People who exhibit the same genetic makeup such as brothers and sisters commonly live in the same environment (Burton).