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Asked by Nuksi to Derrick, Marta, Sammy on 13 Jul 2017. This question was also asked by Pablo, Nish.
Question: Why are some people born albinism?
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Marta Maia answered on 13 Jul 2017:
Melanin is a substance found in our skin, eyes and hair, it is produced by melanocytes, which are cells found in the bottom layer of your skin. A person born with albinism does not produce a normal amount of melanin, which can show up as a lack of pigment (color) in the skin, eyes, hair. A defect in one of several genes that produce or distribute melanin causes albinism. The defect may result in the absence of melanin production, or a reduced amount of melanin production. The defective gene passes down from both parents to the child and causes albinism.
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Sammy commented on :
Albinism is a genetic disorder (meaning it is inherited) in which one inherits genes defective for production of the skin pigment called melanin that gives skin it’s characteristic color!