Explore Fascinating Genetics: Uncovering Rare Diseases

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In summary, the person is looking for an interesting genetic disease to write about for their genetics class. They want something less common and hopefully not as depressing as the more well-known diseases, and it must be listed on the Online Mendelian Inheritance of Man website. Suggestions given include Sickle Cell Anemia, Narcolepsy, Color Blindness, and Albinism, with Albinism being the preferred choice due to its milder and less debilitating nature.
  • #1
end3r7
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I know this may sound a tad morbid, but I need an interesting genetic disease that I can write about (mode of inheritance, physiology, treatment, etc) for my intro to genetics class. There are the obvious one's (Turner Syndrome, Down Syndrome, etc), but I was looking for something less common and maybe more interesting (and hopefully less depressing, is there any genetic "disease" with a good effect out there?)

Oh and it needs to be listed in teh Online Mendellian Inheritance of Man (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=OMIM) , but I think everything you can thing of is probably listed there.
 
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  • #2
SIckle Cell Anemia? Standard example of balancing adaptation.
 
  • #3
Any more ideas? I was leaning towards narcolepsy or color blindness...
 
  • #4
How about Albinism? Not as debilitating, so not as morbid to write about. Don't think it is generally reffered to as a "disease", but rather a "condition", (due to its relatively benign nature), but technichally, it is a disease; just a very mild and non-threatening one.
 

1. What is genetics and why is it important?

Genetics is the study of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms. It is important because it helps us understand how traits are inherited and how they can be affected by environmental factors. It also plays a crucial role in diagnosing and treating diseases.

2. What are rare diseases and how are they connected to genetics?

Rare diseases are conditions that affect a small percentage of the population. They are often caused by genetic mutations that can disrupt the normal function of cells and organs. Therefore, genetics plays a crucial role in understanding and treating rare diseases.

3. How do scientists uncover rare diseases through genetics?

Scientists use a variety of genetic techniques, such as DNA sequencing, to identify genetic mutations that may be responsible for rare diseases. They also study the inheritance patterns of these diseases and compare them to known genetic disorders to make a diagnosis.

4. Can rare diseases be cured with genetics?

In some cases, rare diseases caused by a single gene mutation can be treated with gene therapy, which involves replacing the faulty gene with a healthy one. However, for most rare diseases, there is no cure. Treatment options focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

5. How can understanding genetics help prevent rare diseases?

By studying the genetic causes of rare diseases, scientists can identify people who are at risk and provide genetic counseling for families. This can help individuals make informed decisions about their health and potentially prevent the development of rare diseases in future generations.

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