There are many non-scientific ideas behind albinism, and because of modern science we now know that albinism is a genetic disorder due to the lack of melanin in a human or animals gene.

According to Google, Albinism is “A group of inherited disorders characterized by little or no melanin production.” Melanin is what gives a person or mammal the various dark browns or black pigments in a human’s hair or a mammal’s fur. Found in a chromosomes segment of  DNA, called genes, melanin must be carried by both parents. As a recessive gene it may not show signs or symptoms in the parents, but only in the child with the off chance they receive both. It’s the same with the animals but it’s called tyrosinase, a rate limiting enzyme for controlling melanin, in an animal’s body.

There are 6 different types of albinism, each having their own effects.  Oculocutaneous albinism, OCA, is caused by a mutation in one of four genes. People with OCA type 1 have milky white skin, white hair, and blue eyes at birth. Some kids don’t produce any melanin while growing up, and some do, the pigment in their hair changing from a golden blond, brown, or red along with their irise. OCA type 2, 3, and 4 are found in mostly people of color.

X-linked ocular albinism occurs almost exclusively in males because it’s a gene mutation of the X chromosome. People with X-linked ocular albinism often have vision problems, but their other features are similar to that of the family. The final type is Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome. Most common in Puerto Rico, this is similar to OCA, but they may also develop lung and bowel diseases or a bleeding disorder. The last is Chediak-Higashi syndrome. The LYST gene is in charge of making protein, so people with Chediak-Higashi syndrome have a defect in white blood cells making the risk of infection greater.

Our scientific knowledge has increased from when we first started. There are new marvels being found and figured out everyday, so what’s next?