Albinism

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 easily in the sun. They do not tan since they do not have any pigmentation or very little. If they do not have sufficient protection they are more likely to develop skin cancer. It is recommended that people with albinism stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and that they be careful in snow and sand, which reflect rays. They should wear sunscreen on all exposed body parts and wear sun-blocking clothes such as densely woven, breathable synthetic fabrics and wide-brimmed hats. Without protection, people with albinism will develop discolorations where proteins and fats inside cells have been destroyed. This discoloration is often mistaken for freckles. Trouble for people with albinism does not stop with medical issues. In some places they face more serious problems. In some parts of Africa, lack of classroom accommodation and stigma prevent people with albinism from holding jobs. Much worse for Africans with albinism, are dangerous myths in Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and other countries that lead to the raping, killing and dismemberment of people with albinism. Some of these myths include that body parts of people with albinism carry good luck and that intercourse with a woman who has albinism can cure HIV. Fisherman in Tanzania will weave albino hair into their fishing nets to improve their catches. Miners in coalfields have been known to splash albino blood on he ground to “attract” gems and gold where they dig. It has been reported that a complete set of albino body parts (limbs, genitals, eyelids, ears, tongue, nose, and even skin) can fetch around 75, 000 dollars. Anxiety among albinos throughout Africa has led to at least 10,000 being displaced or having gone into hiding. Coping with albinism is not often easy. However, there are organizations such as NOAH or National Organization for Albinism and Hypo pigmentation that provide education for those dealing with this rare disease. Albinism does not affect a person’s lifespan. People with albinism can adapt to this condition and live healthy, productive lives. Annotated Bibliography Albinism. (20100. In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved September 01, 2010, from Encyclopedia Britannica Online: http://britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/2993/albinism. This is a detailed reference that focuses on how albinism effects vision. Knopper, Melissa. (2005).Albinism. Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders. Vol. 1. 2nd ed. Detroit: Thomas Gale, 2005. This is a good reference covering in-depth information on the genetic profile of Albinism. National Organization of Albinism and Hypo pigmentation (NOAH). “Social Aspects of Albinism.” 2008. (6/13/2008) Retrieved September 1, 2010, from http:/www.albinism.org/publications/social.html. This is an excellent website dedicated to providing education on albinism. It covers society’s attitudes about albinism. Rickard, Bob. (March 2010). Albino Muti Murders. ForteanTimes. Retrieved August 30, 2010. This article is very interesting and detailed. It gives some first hand accounts on the brutal killings of people with albinism based on the myth that they have magical powers. Soares, Clair. (2008, April 4). Crackdown on Witchdoctors After Albinos Killed to Harvest Body Parts. The Independent. This excerpt from this periodical details how the deaths of people with albinism have grown over time in Tanzania. References Albinism. (20100. In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved September 01, 2010, from Encyclopedia Britannica Online: http://britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/2993/albinism. Knopper, Melissa. (2005).Albinism. Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders. Vol. 1. 2nd ed. Detroit: Thomas Gale, 2005. National Organization of Albinism and Hypo pigmentation (NOAH). “Social Aspects of Albinism.” 2008. (6/13/2008) Retrieved September 1, 2010, from http:/www.albinism.org/publications/social.html. Rickard, Bob. (March 2010). Albino Muti Murders. ForteanTimes. Retrieved August 30, 2010. Soares, Clair. (2008, April 4). Crackdown on Witchdoctors After Albinos Killed to Harvest Body Parts. The Independent.