Albinism

1. Albinism By Katie MacDonald

2. Albino what? • Albinism is an inherited disease. It is a recessive trait and effects the gene called melanin. Melanin is the reason for pigment (colour) in the skin, hair, and eyes. Basically making the person with this disorder pale as a ghost.

3. Knowing the genotypes • The possible genotypes of the parents would be homozygous recessive or heterozygous. Considering the gene is recessive.

4. What are the odds? • Albinism is actually a very rare disease, about one in seventy people are carriers of the gene, but have no physical symptoms. Carriers have a 50% chance of passing the albinism gene to their offspring. However, if both parents are carriers, there is a 1 in 4 chance that each of their children will have albinism

5. Diagnosis • when it comes to diagnosing albinism, a recently developed blood test has been proven to identify the carriers of the albinism gene. Similar tests during pregnancy can determine albinism in unborn children.

6. .. How can you tell? • Physical symptoms of albinism is: • Light eye color ranging from light grey to blue. Brown is sometimes the color as well. • Pale skin, very sensitive to the sun • Light colored hair. • Since there are different types of albinism, the degree of how light the skin and hair is, varies on the type. • People with albinism are also prone to eye problems

8. Usual life span • Albinism doesn’t effect the persons life span. They’re expected to live a normal life span, but with some cautions, such as being careful about sun exposure or it could lead to skin cancer, and partial blindness due to problems with the retinas.

9. Cure anyone..? • There is no cure to replace the lack of pigment that comes with albinism, but certain initiatives can be taken to make life easier. Glasses can be used to help sight problems, the glasses can be tinted to ease the pain of too much sun. • Wearing strong sunscreen when going out will prevent burning. • Crossed eyes can be treated at birth with eye patches, surgery, or medicine injections. • Taking beta-carotene can provide some skin color but will not protect against sun sensitivity

10. Personal life • Everyday life as a person with albinism can be rough, always being cautious about too much sun, partial blindness or eye movement. Some people have a more harsh blindness that can prevent them from driving, or seeing well in general. Not to mention social problems

11. Limitations. • People with albinism suffer limitations such as not being able to drive all the time and social problems from people with a lack of understanding about the condition

12. Coping with it • Families can contact N.O.A.H (National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentaton) to look at different ways to cope. But mainly it’s all about being supportive and strong. Dealing with the disorder in a positive attitude. • Love each other :D <3

13. There is no proven cure to replace pigment yet, but there could possibly be if scientists can find a way to rebuild the cells that produce the melanin. • That’s the part that we can influence 