Hutchinson-Gilford progeria is an exceedingly rare human genetic disorder in which there is very early senility and death, usually from coronary artery disease, at an average age of approximately 13. Patients, who look very old even as children, do not live to reproduce. Which of the following represents the most likely assumption?

A. All cases must occur in relatives; therefore, there must be only one mutant allele.

B. Successive generations of a family will continue to have more and more cases over time.

C. The disorder may be due to mutation in a single protein-coding gene.

D. Each patient will have had at least one affected family member in a previous generation.