def get_individual(self, family_id, sample_id, father_id, mother_id, sex, phenotype,
            genetic_models = None, proband='.', consultand='.', alive='.'):
        """
        Return a individual object based on the indata.
        
        Arguments:
            family_id (str): The id for this family
            sample_id (str): The id for this sample
            father_id (str): The id for this samples father
            mother_id (str): The id for this samples mother
            sex (str): The id for the sex of this sample
            phenotype (str): The id for the phenotype of this sample
            genetic_models (str): A ';'-separated string with the expected 
            models of inheritance for this sample
            proband (str): 'Yes', 'No' or '.'
            consultand (str): 'Yes', 'No' or '.' if the individual is sequenced
            alive (str): 'Yes', 'No' or '.'
        
        returns:
            individual (Individual): A Individual object with the information 
        """
        if sex not in ['1', '2']:
            sex = '0'
        if phenotype not in ['1', '2']:
            phenotype = '0'
        if mother_id == '.':
            mother_id = '0'
        if father_id == '.':
            father_id = '0'
        if genetic_models:
            genetic_models = genetic_models.split(';')
        
        if proband == 'Yes':
            proband = 'Y'
        elif proband == 'No':
            proband = 'N'
        else:
            proband = '.'
        
        if consultand == 'Yes':
            consultand = 'Y'
        elif consultand == 'No':
            consultand = 'N'
        else:
            consultand = '.'
        
        if alive == 'Yes':
            alive = 'Y'
        elif alive == 'No':
            alive = 'N'
        else:
            alive = '.'
        
        individual = Individual(
                                 sample_id, 
                                 family_id, 
                                 mother_id, 
                                 father_id, 
                                 sex, 
                                 phenotype, 
                                 genetic_models, 
                                 proband, 
                                 consultand, 
                                 alive
                              )
        
        return individual