Naim and Xavior

February 13, 2010

Period 3

Albinism
Albinism is an inherited genetic disorder that’s symptom is partial of complete disappearance to the
pigment in the skin or fur of a human or animal. This is not usually a fatal disorder because all it really
does is remove the color of one’s skin and hair. Unfortunately, the color in your skin is needed for many
things. Without the color of your skin, the ultra violet rays from the sun can burn you with ease and
make you much more liable to contract skin cancer. Albinism is also involved with some vision disorders,
too. An example would be photophobia, where the eyes become extremely sensitive to brightness from
taking in too much light all at once. This happens because your skin is not deflecting enough sun rays
thus resulting in photophobia.

Medical
1. How does a person inherit it?
 Naim and Xavior
February 13, 2010
Period 3
 It is inherited by rececive genes, meaning that it would take 2 albino genes for the
offspring to actually be diagnosed with the disorder.

2. What are the possible genotypes of the parents? If the disease is a chromosomal abnormality,
then describe the abnormality.
 Albinism is balanced between the two genders. The disorder needs to be in both
parents (but not necessarily visible) if it is actually going to happen because it is a
rececive trait.
3. How prevalent is the disease in the population?
 Albinism is quite scarce. It is a 1:40000 people ratio for those with albinism. The place
with the most albinos is in Africa.
4. What are the chances with someone with the disorder of passing it on to their offspring?
 Since the disease is rececive, it requires 2 owners of the disease to pass it on to their
offspring. When only 1 of the 2 parents have the disease, it is rather rare for the
offspring to inherit the disease but still possible. When both of the parents have the
disease, chances are that the child is going to have the disorder.
5. How is the disease diagnosed?
6. What are the physical symptoms of the disease?
 Extremely light colored skin
 Light or white colored hair at young age
 Extremely light colored eyes; may appear pink
 Skin cancer
7. What is the life expectancy of someone with the disorder?
 A normal life span. The disorder does not at all affect the life span of an organism at all.
8. How can the disease be treated?
 It can’t, but some of its following chain events can. An example of this the symptom of
poor sight, which can be treated by going to a optometrist.

Personal
1. What is every day like? How is the quality of life?
 Everyday life for albinos can be very tough at times because of their ‘difference’. They
can feel left out at times, usually because of their strange looks. The disease does not
affect their life much; most of them lead a normal everyday life. Unfortunately, for the
albinos of Africa, they are hunted by many tribes who believe that albino body parts
combined with many other ingredients can cure diseases such as AIDS.
2. What are the limitations they have?
 Nearly none
3. What are some organizations that can help families cope with the disorder?
 The NOAH or National Organization for Albinism and Hypopegmentation
 Naim and Xavior
February 13, 2010
Period 3
 http://www.albinism.org/
4. How possible is it that a cure will be found?
 0%. Albinism is, sadly, an untreatable disorder. Once you get it, you’re stuck with it for
the rest of your life