Albinism
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- Date Submitted: 10/25/2010 02:11 PM
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Albinism and its Varying Effects on its Victims
Abstract
Albinism is an inherited condition that causes a lack of pigment in the hair, skin or eyes. This paper examines albinism and some of the issues that victims of albinism endure. The issues range from vision problems that can lead to blindness to skin damage which can become cancerous. These issues are not limited to medical side effects. In some parts of the world it is believed that people with albinism have magical powers that can be transferred to others. This belief has led to the brutal murder of people with albinism. This paper will explore these issues.
Albinism and its Varying Effects on its Victims
Albinism is an inherited condition that causes a lack of pigment. People with albinism typically have white or pale yellow hair, pale skin, and light blue or gray eyes. This rare disease affects one in every 17,000 people. All racial groups, including African Americans and Latinos are affected by albinism. Asians have the lowest incidence of this condition. There are a variety of side effects that are derived from albinism including complications with vision, skin damage and skin cancer, and the misconception that people with albinism have magical powers. This paper will explore these side effects.
In albinism the body does not produce enough melanin. Melanin creates hair, skin, and eye color. This lack of melanin causes abnormal development in the eye. The iris (the colored ring around the eye), which normally acts as a filter, lets excessive light into the eye. Communication between the retina (the surface inside the eye that absorbs light) and the brain is altered. This causes a lack of depth perception. These changes can lead to visual impairments, such as sensitivity to sunlight, near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism . People with albinism must shield their sensitive eyes from the sun with UV protected sunglasses.
People with albinism frequently burn...
Abstract
Albinism is an inherited condition that causes a lack of pigment in the hair, skin or eyes. This paper examines albinism and some of the issues that victims of albinism endure. The issues range from vision problems that can lead to blindness to skin damage which can become cancerous. These issues are not limited to medical side effects. In some parts of the world it is believed that people with albinism have magical powers that can be transferred to others. This belief has led to the brutal murder of people with albinism. This paper will explore these issues.
Albinism and its Varying Effects on its Victims
Albinism is an inherited condition that causes a lack of pigment. People with albinism typically have white or pale yellow hair, pale skin, and light blue or gray eyes. This rare disease affects one in every 17,000 people. All racial groups, including African Americans and Latinos are affected by albinism. Asians have the lowest incidence of this condition. There are a variety of side effects that are derived from albinism including complications with vision, skin damage and skin cancer, and the misconception that people with albinism have magical powers. This paper will explore these side effects.
In albinism the body does not produce enough melanin. Melanin creates hair, skin, and eye color. This lack of melanin causes abnormal development in the eye. The iris (the colored ring around the eye), which normally acts as a filter, lets excessive light into the eye. Communication between the retina (the surface inside the eye that absorbs light) and the brain is altered. This causes a lack of depth perception. These changes can lead to visual impairments, such as sensitivity to sunlight, near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism . People with albinism must shield their sensitive eyes from the sun with UV protected sunglasses.
People with albinism frequently burn...