What causes one to be albino?

Question

I know something about a missing pigment or something like that, but what really goes wrong & what exactly causes someone to be born albino?

Answer 1

its a recessive triat so one is albino if they inherit that recessive trait

Answer 2

My aunt and her husband had no idea they carried the gene until their first child was born with albinism. By the way, it isn't "PC" to call someone an albino - it's more appropriate to say "person with albinism."

For nearly all types of albinism both parents must carry an albinism gene to have a child with albinism. Because the body has two sets of genes, a person may have normal pigmentation but carry the albinism gene. If a person has one gene for normal pigmentation and one gene for albinism, he or she will have enough genetic information to make normal pigment. The albinism gene is "recessive" — it does not result in albinism unless a person has two copies of the gene for albinism and no copy of the gene that makes normal pigment.

When both parents carry the gene, and neither parent has albinism, there is a one in four chance at each pregnancy that the baby will be born with albinism. This type of inheritance is called autosomal recessive inheritance.<---THIS IS MY AUNT'S SITUATION - BUT SHE HAD MORE THAN 1 OUT OF 4 -- 2 OF HER 3 CHILDREN WERE BORN WITH ALBINISM

Each parent of a child with oculocutaneous albinism must carry the gene. Both the father and the mother must carry the gene for albinism. For couples who have not had a child with albinism, there is no simple test to determine whether a person carries a gene for albinism. Researchers have analyzed DNA of people with albinism and found the changes that cause albinism, but these changes are not always in exactly the same place, even for a given type of albinism. Therefore the tests for the gene may be inconclusive.

Answer 3

Well, everyone is mostly right. I have oculocutaneous albinism and I was told the red eye color is actually rare among albinos. More common is pink and blue, sometimes purple. There is absolutely no pigmentation in my hair, skin or eyes. I have no idea what genes my parents had, but I was also told about this being very recessive.

Answer 4

This is a genetic mutational defect,and it has four main types.and it's symptoms can vary greatly with the amount of melanin produced. It's characteristics include very pale to pink skin and eyes,and white blonde hair.These patients are extremely photosensitive,and can have severe visual problems.There are occurrences in all races.Much info on Google. Take care. SW RNP

Answer 5

I have a cousin that has an albino half sister. It is in genes. Both parents have to have it if the child happens to get both genes it causes them to be albino. If only one parent has it they wouldn't have an albino child. How you check if you have the gene, i have no idea.

Answer 6

This condition is caused by the absence of pigments in the skin, hair and eyes of animals. It is a recessive mutation caused by recessive allele.

Answer 7

It's a genetic disorder, luck of the draw if you will. There are different forms, which are inhereted differently. Check wikipedia.