There are many human disorders that are either entirely genetically based, or genetically influenced. Some of these, such as Down Syndrome and Cystic Fibrosis, are well known to the general public. Others, even more common and not so well-studied, can pose grave dangers to us. One of these, Hemochromatosis, is almost unknown to the layman. For a second excellent article on this extremely important disease, go to What You Don't Know About Iron Can Kill You.
Down Syndrome is fairly well known among the public to cause mental retardation, but there is another genetic disorder, the Fragile X Syndrome, that is more common. For answers to specific questions about this disease, click here.
Hemophilia or "Bleeder's Disease" is a heavily studied, genetic disorder well known to affect mostly males. But there is a strange and very distressing inherited disease apparently affecting only females, and that is not familiar to the public, called Rett Syndrome. Click here for more information on this serious disorder.
Genetic screening and testing is now commonplace for a number of genetic disorders. The question arises: what shall we do with this information? Often, when a fetus is genetically tested and shows a mutant gene for some serious disorder, the solution to the problem is abortion. But what are the ethics to be considered here? Go to Ethics Update and browse among the numerous offerings on this Web page for various views concerning this problem.
FOR INVESTIGATION: For each inquiry, write your thoughts in a short paragraph for later comparison.
Hemochromatosis is the #1 genetic killer in the U.S., affecting nearly two million Americans, yet most victims are unaware that they have it.
What You Don't Know About Iron Can Kill You
Fragile X syndrome, called Martin-Bell syndrome, is a genetic disorder and is the most common form of inherited mental retardation.
Fragile X syndrome is an inherited genetic condition associated with mental retardation. It is identified by a break, or weakness, on the long arm of the X chromosome.
Review of the early clinical evidence for the underlying abnormality In Rett Syndrome
The Inheritance of Rett syndrome
Genetic testing is increasingly being offered to individuals at all stages of the life cycle. Many of the genetic tests used today involve either medical or surgical procedures (such as amniocentesis) performed to provide information, with varying degrees of accuracy, on the health of a developing baby, children or adults. These tests can either be screening tests or diagnostic tests. The difference between the two is important to understand.
The Web contains a wide range of helpful resources relating to abortion. These include court decisions, legislation, basic documents, and news updates.