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FYI: it is not Albinoism it is Albinism

Albinism

 What is Albinism and how do you get it? 

Albinism is genetic condition when a organism lacks the ability to produce pigmintation. Pigmint is the color of plant and animal cells.  Another name for pigmitation is melanin.  Albinism occurs because of a deffective gene that prevents the body from creating melanin.  Because of the lack of pimitation people and animals with albinism usually appear pale or white.  It is also possible for an animal or person to have small patches of white on the on the skin,fur, feathers, or scales showing signs of albinism.  People and animals with Albinism usually have brown or blue eyes but it is possible to have purple or red eyes.  The reason why they might have purple or red eyes is because they lack pigmintation in the eyes. You get the red color from the blood vessels in the eyes. Albinism is not contagious and can only be inherited when two parents have the defectective gene. If only one parent has the deffective gene you become what scientest call a "carrier". If two carriers were to have a child then their child would have a one out of four chances of inheriting both of the defective genes. Please remember that despite their appearance people and animals who have albinism are exactly the same as you and me, do dont treat them any differently then what you would treat any animal or person!

Types of Albinism

There are two main types of Albinism. The first is called (OCA). OCA is the lack of pigment in the hair,eyes, and skin. Then there is (OA) which is a less noticable kind of Albinism. OA only affects the eyes and skin but the hair color is normal.  Then there is a type of albinism that only affects the eye.  The average person wouldn't  be able to tell without and eye exam.  The reason why is because the eye may look like it has pigmentation even though it doesn't. The eye exam will show that the person has little to no pigmitation in the eyes.

 What or who does Abilnism affect? 

Albinism can affect anybody including people, plants and animals.  Animals with albinism most likely wont be able to survive in the wild because of their white color which causes them to stand out in their envirement, unless you live in a place where it snows year round.  Because of this when Albino animals can usually only be seen in captivity where they dont have to worry about predators or starving to death because they can't get close enough to their prey.  It is extremely rare for a plant to be albino but it is possible.  You probably wont find them in the wild though since they usually live for about a week before they run out of the energy they get from whenthey were a seedling.  It is also possible for them to live a longer life if they steal nutrients from another plant since they are unable to make chlorophyll.

Are their any health related side affects to Albinism? 

Unfortunatly yes, People with Albilnism have a high chance of having poor eyesight do to the lack of pigmintation.  The skin is also very sensitive to sunlight do to the lack of pigmitation causing it to burn easlily.  Pigmentation is important because it helps protect you from the suns ultra violent rays.  Because of this people with Albinism should limit thier time in the sun to avoid  damage to the skin and eyes. Bleeding disorders,lung, kidney, and bowl illneses may also occur with albinism.

Lives of People with Albinism

sadly many albinos that live in Africa have to live their lives in fear to due people now hunting albinos.  Albino hunting started about two years ago.  Witch doctors and big money traders would hire people to track down albinos and kill them for their body parts, then make kits of them.  Witch doctors and traders would convince people that these kits were magic potions that could help you find love, get rich, or become powerful.  This is a crime that no culture supports.  Because of this, many albino children are currently in hiding to avoid getting killed. 

Pictures of Albinism

                    Picture of an Albino peacock 

link to where I got the picture 

Picture of an albino Plant

link to where I got the picture

Picture of an albino person 

where I got the picture

If you or a person you know has Albinism then you can go to this website.... 

This website holds important information about Albinism such as how to take of a person that has Albinism.  They also have a reliable lists of doctors that treat patients with Albinism.  Noah also hosts events for people with Albinism to meet each other and have fun while doing so.  These events help raise money for the Noah fondation in helping kids with Albinism.  The events happen in the United States and Canada.  ( link )  http://www.albinism.org/faq/report.html

Bibliography on Albinism 

 Albino Peacock Picture: http://www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/albino_peacock_1sfw.jpg 

Albinism- Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albinism

Albinism-drugs : http://www.drugs.com/enc/albinism.html

Albinsm- myoptumhealth : http://www.myoptumhealth.com/portal/ADAM/item/Albinism

Albinism- Noah : http://www.albinism.org/faq/report.html 

Albinism- http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/detail/86036.html