Albinism: This Is an X-Linked Disease

Topics: Eye, Eye color, Albinism Pages: 1 (330 words) Published: February 19, 2013

The cause of albinism is a mutation in one of several genes. Each gene provides the chemical code instruction for making one of the several proteins involved in the production of melanin. Melanin is what makes the color of the skin its color and also your eyes and hair. You must inherit two copies of a mutated gene in order to have albinism.

Albinism is not always apparent in a person's skin, hair, or eye color. All albinism victims will experience vision impairments. You may have rapid, involuntary back-and-forth movement of the eyes. Inability of both eyes to stay directed at the same point or to move in unison. Extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness. Sensitivity to light. Astigmatism. They may also have red eyes.

Some complications are Physical risks and social/emotional risks. They are more likely to get sunburns which then will result in skin cancer. Socially people with make fun of them and they will become to be depressed and have suicidal thoughts. They may feel out of place if they are suppose to be black but comes out white. Also some people think they have super powers so they will chop off their limbs and put it in potions so they will also have super powers.

This is an X-linked disease. It is almost exclusively in males only. It is from a recessive gene from both parents and both genes have to be mutated. If both parents gene is not mutated then you will not have the disorder. Also it must be the recessive gene.

You start experiencing this disorder at birth and you will have it for the rest of your life. There is no way to get rid of the disorder but there are treatments to help your vision get better since they have poor eyesight. It is definitely more common in males because it is a male chromosome that gets mutated. This disorder is a 0.03% chance in getting it.

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