Hereditary traits carried by genes that are expressed only when an individual has two copies of the gene. A child needs to inherit the affected gene from both parents for the genetic trait to be expressed. When a disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, the parents do not usually have the disease themselves but are symptomless carriers. Examples of autosomal recessive disorders include Tay-Sachs disease, sickle cell anemia, and albinism.