Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Albino Siblings/Families

The cause of albinism is a mutation in one of several genes. Each of these genes provides the chemically coded instructions for making one of several proteins involved in the production of melanin. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found in your skin and eyes. A mutation may result in no melanin production at all or a significant decline in the amount of melanin.
In most types of albinism, a person must inherit two copies of a mutated gene — one from each parent — in order to have albinism (recessive inheritance). If a person has only one copy, then he or she won't have the disorder. 

 Albinism generally can't be prevented. It often occurs in families who have no history of the disorder. However, in cases where parents suspect that they may be carriers because of a family history, genetic testing may help identify whether or not both parents carry a certain genetic mutation that could cause albinism in their children. In addition, if both parents know they are carriers, prenatal tests can be done to determine if a fetus has inherited the mutations that can cause albinism. 

Thelma and Doris Bernal — twin albinos - LINK

 Thelma and Doris Bernal — twin albinos

LINK

A set of albino twins. Photo by David Handley

A set of albino twins. Photo by David Handley

A set of albino twins. Photo by David Handley

By Eyes on Tanzania: Stop the Slaughter on Flickr

Albino Parvez kids on holiday. The Parvez family are the world's biggest albino family living in the UK - LINK

Photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr

An albino family at the foot of the Malangad Mountains. Photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr

Albino siblings in Tanzania - LINK

The Enweregei family. Photo by Matt Clowney

The Enweregei family. Photo by Matt Clowney

LINK

St. George's Carnival, Grenada. Science Photo Library

Albino family at Kalyan India. By GLOSACK on Flickr
Albino family in Pushkar, India. Photo credit: Amy Lyne

Albino family of beggars gather in Gokarn sidewalk in south india for the coming Shivaratry festival. By urikrishna on Flickr

This family sits every day in the bright sun at the Puskar Camel Festival begging. Photo credit: Gloria Williams

Albino family at the Pushkar Camel Fair. By GLOSACK on Flickr

Albino family begging at the Camel Festival. Photo credit: Gloria Williams

The world's largest albino family in the UK - LINK

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