In response to your peers, comment on the benefits or problems of genetic testing, and ask any questions you may have about the genetic disease.
Classmate # 1 James
The disease I searched was Albinism, the disease that cause the body, eyes and hair to lose its pigments. Albinism is caused by a mutation in one of many genes that produces melanin. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found in your skin, hair and eyes. Albinism is inherited in an Autosomal recessive pattern, meaning both copies of a gene in each cell have mutations. Most often, the parents of an individual with an Autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.
The reason I found that genetic testing is controversial is because it may or it is affecting the status of people who have been tested. While it gives great information about the persons health some groups like insurance companies might not be fair to them, or Industries might not give jobs to them. And there is also the matter of social status, they might be looked at differently by there peers.
Classmate # 2 April
The disease I chose is Albinism. Albinism is a rare group of genetic disorders that can cause the skin, hair, or eyes to have little or even no color. Vision problems are normally associated with this disorder. A defect in one of many genes that produce melanin causes albinism. The defect may result in a small amount of melanin production or none at all. The defective gene passes down from both parents to a child and leads to albinism. This is an inherited disorder that is present at birth. Children are at risk of albinism if parents have albinism or if the parents carry the gene. I knew a girl from school that had patches of skin that were lighter than other areas. There were lighter shaded areas on her face, arms, and legs. I am wondering if this is what she had or just a pigment thing? The patches seemed a lot whiter when we were in elementary than they did in high school.
