Genetic variation refers to the differences in the genes that define the physical characteristics of an individual and often may occur due to several factors such as when there are mixed racial marriages, as well as random fertilization taking place between people. It may also occur due to chemical changes in the body of parents which is seen in the children; hence, resulting in unique features such as variations in the skin color of individuals in society (United Nations, n.d.). Albinism remains one of the conditions in the world that is associated with certain beliefs especially in African nations such as Tanzania whereby it is perceived to be a curse and that there is no medical term that can be considered to describe the condition.
Description of Albinism
There are various conditions of the skin in human beings and which often cause people to look different from the others. One such condition is albinism which can be referred to as the whitening of the skin color of a black person. Albinism is one of the skin color conditions affecting people from across the world (Manga, Kerr, Ramsay & Kromberg, 2013). It is vital to note that while the condition may be quite visible among the black people, it is something that also affects people of the white skin; hence, it is a common skin condition that has received the attention of almost all stakeholders in the world Mártinez‐García & Montoliu, 2013). This is based on the fact that it is a biological condition that has no possible cure that has been found so far in the medical field. This skin condition is chosen because it is one of the misunderstood conditions in many of the sub-Saharan Africa nations in the world (Brilliant, 2015).
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The major problem with this condition is that people tend to perceive it as something that is not biological but related to superstitious beliefs when it comes to considering the causes of the problem. The most common places where such misunderstandings are found is in Africa, with a particular interest in the Sub-Saharan African; hence, the importance of making findings of the condition so that people can get to learn more about it and support the affected people. It is notable that the people who are affected by the condition affected persons are often at a higher risk of suffering from cancer compared to those people who do not have albinism (United Nations, n.d.). This is based on the fact that their skin is exposed lot to various environmental factors including chemicals that can easily enter the skin as well as the ultraviolet sun rays which could also result in cancer of the skin (Manga et al., 2013).
When it comes to the biological understanding of the condition, there is the involvement of the dark pigment which gives the black people their skin color called the melanin. This means that albinism results from the loss of melanin that makes the skin black among African people due to genetic mutation TYR gene (tyrosinase) (Kamaraj & Purohit, 2014). When the TYR gene mutates, it tends to lose the melanin which gives the dark skin color, leaving on the skin without pigment; hence, resulting in the condition.
Therefore, the selection of this skin color condition is based on the desire to see a change in society whereby people abandon their misconceptions regarding albinism and embracing the fact that this is just like any other condition that affects all human beings (Manga et al., 2013). While culture is vital in society, it should not act as a barrier to experiencing equality and treating everyone with dignity (United Nations, n.d.). This is because, for years, people with albinism have suffered a lot as a result of a culture which only makes things worse and makes people seem hypocritical. This is because they tend to claim one thing yet do the opposite of it when it comes to albinos.
Worldwide distribution of Albinism
Furthermore, in understating this condition in society, it is essential to observe the worldwide distribution of the problem. Albinism has been found to significantly affect people of African origin and rarely visible among the whites (Simeonov, Wang, Wang, Sergeev, Dolinska, Bower & Huizing, 2013). The primary reason why it is quite visible and common among the black people is based on the fact that they have the melanin which gives the black color of the skin. However, when the mutation of the genes takes place, the melanin is lost, leaving the skin without its pigment (United Nations, n.d.). This is the reason why in black people, it is quite visible and easily noticed that it is among the whites.
Additionally, regarding the distribution in the world, one of the countries in the world is found in East Africa, Tanzania. In Tanzania, reports have indicated that the country is widely affected by this condition and often misunderstood due to cultural beliefs (Brocco, 2015). In Tanzania alone, there are over 150,000 albinos, but this may be considered to be lower compared to Nigeria which has over 2 million confirmed cases of albinism (United Nations, n.d.). Across the world, findings have shown that there is at least one albino among 20,000 people, which translates to quite a large number in the world. The major issue is that in most of the African nations such as Tanzania, estimates are used because there have been no clear procedures and policies set up to ensure that albinos are accounted for (Simeonov et al., 2013). This could be attributed to the problem that the albinos have been facing whereby they are believed to be a curse; hence, causing the majority of them and their families to hide.
Genetic/physiological variations
The important thing that has been noted so far and which the majority of people, especially in African nations should understand is that albinism is a skin condition that can be explained biologically rather than focusing on the false beliefs that have no basis. One of the important biological factors to note about albinism is that it is a condition that is hereditary meaning that it is often passed on from the parents to the children. This means that the parents must have the genes that are mutated for them to be able to pass on this skin condition passed on from parents to the children (Mártinez‐García & Montoliu, 2013). The required condition for the mutation to take place is that both parents must have the genes which are involved in causing the loss of skin pigment or melanin in the body. If one parent does not have such genes, the probability of having an albino child is reduced compared to when both parents have the genes (Brocco, 2015).
Furthermore, the mutation of the TYR gene (tyrosinase) results in the loss of the black skin color, since it cannot produce the melanin (Kamaraj & Purohit, 2014). Tyrosinase is known as a protein that plays an important role in the making of melanin which gives the skin its dark color. It is vital to note that when there is one tyrosinase that is considered to be normal, it is capable of making enough of the proteins which are required for the melanin production for the skin (Simeonov et al., 2013). This supports the reason that for albinism to occur, then the tyrosinase must be absent in both genes of the two parents. The implication of this finding is that it makes the albinism trait to be considered as a recessive trait. Therefore, based on this biological information, it disapproves the many beliefs that have been put forward regarding the issue of albinism being a curse in certain societies.
Besides, it is essential to note that there are primarily only two types of albinism in the world and which are recognized when it comes to skin condition in human beings. There is the oculocutaneous albinism. This is the type of albinism which tends to affect the skin of an individual causing them to lose the dark skin pigment or melanin (Simeonov et al., 2013). Also, the other parts of the body which are affected and which show that one has albinism is the change in the color of the hair, as well as the color of the eyes. The other type of albinism is the ocular albinism. This type of albinism tends to affect the eyes whereby there is a change in the color of the eyes. The form in which it occurs is the Nettleship-Falls syndrome (Kamaraj & Purohit, 2014).
Regarding the oculocutaneous albinism, the affected people tend to have milk-white hair and skin color. However, it is also notable that the color of the skin may tend to have some pink color which is due to the presence of the blood vessels under the skin. Additionally, in both cases of the oculocutaneous together with the ocular albinism, it is observed that the iris of the eyes tends to have the pink color (Simeonov et al., 2013). However, the pupil of the eyes will be seen to have a reddish color which is due to the light that gets reflected by the blood which is found in the eyes. The choroid is, however, unpigmented which makes it even more possible to see the reddish color of the pupil (Kamaraj & Purohit, 2014).
It is also vital to note that apart from the problems related to the skin that albinos face in life, they go through the vision problems. Some of the vision abnormalities which are experienced by albinos include the issue of astigmatism, as well as the nystagmus which is known to occur due to the rapid involuntary oscillation that takes place in the eyes (Simeonov et al., 2013). Moreover, there is the issue of photophobia which is a condition whereby an individual is known to be quite sensitive to light.
The other findings that have been made regarding albinism in society are that the possibility of family history is often not quite common. However, the important fact to note is that the condition will occur among people who get involved and who come from two generations that are different (Kamaraj & Purohit, 2014). This is referred to as the pseudodominance. This is a situation that occurs when there is a carrier, or the person who is affected by albinism gets to have children with someone who is also a carrier (Simeonov et al., 2013).
Sociocultural responses to Albinism
It is vital to note that there have been varied responses to the albinism condition in a society based on the approaches that are taken by various people. Medically, albinism cannot be treated. It requires great skin care using special products to reduce the effects of sun rays on the skin (Kamaraj & Purohit, 2014). This is based on the fact that albinism occurs when there is no melanin on the skin which plays n integral role in protecting the skin from the harmful rays of the sun. One of the common problems albinos face is the exposure to the sun whereby they always suffer a lot of sunburns since their skin lacks the melanin that can prevent the entry of the harmful rays in the skin (Simeonov et al., 2013). This is the reason why the medical recommendation that is given is for them to be protected from the sun using sunscreen products such as lotions. Also, they are encouraged to wear hats in places where there is a lot of sun rays. This prevents the sun from further damaging the skin (Kamaraj & Purohit, 2014).
However, a similar view is not held by people who believe in certain cultures. Culturally, in Tanzania and many African nations, albinism is believed to be a curse (Lamble, 2019). The families and people who have albinism are often considered as a bad omen to the community and are discriminated against by society. This means that they are not allowed to interact with other people who have normal skin color since they will bring bad luck (Simeonov et al., 2013). In the worst scenario and one that has been observed in Tanzania over the last few years is that the lives of albinos have been endangered. This is based on the fact that they have been believed to be a source of medicine that can be used to cure various conditions and diseases such as HIV/AIDS, something that is quite absurd and one that is only used as a reason to eliminate them in society (Lamble, 2019).
Moreover, people with albinism are stigmatized and traumatized since they are treated differently (Brocco, 2015). This is based on the fact that society has not embraced them fully since they are seen as a bad omen. They are used for rituals; hence, they are always in danger (Lamble, 2019). It even reached a point whereby they were being hunted like animals and killed for their skills which are used in witchcraft. This finding shows that there is a lack of knowledge in such countries regarding albinism and how it occurs in life (Simeonov et al., 2013). People have been made to believe that anyone with albinism is not welcomed and should be treated negatively. However, this should not be the case, and this has led to advocacy groups coming up in Tanzania and even major world organizations such as the United Nations in trying to protect albinos (Lamble, 2019).
As part of the sociocultural interventions that have been introduced in most of the countries, especially the African nations such as Tanzania, it is observed that most of the governments have decided to protect people with albinism (Brocco, 2015). This is based on the regulations and laws that have been put in place that protect the rights of albinos and ensure that they are safe in society (Simeonov et al., 2013). Moreover, laws which encourage equality in society are also part of the interventions that have been introduced whereby albinos are given the same rights as other people in society and provided with the required support (Lamble, 2019). These include the provisions of the products they need to use for their skin and help them access medical care with ease (Brocco, 2015).
In conclusion, skin color is often used to categorize people in society and determine their background. However, with albinism, the genetic variation involved is only understood by people who have studied the condition (Lamble, 2019). Some African nations such as Tanzania still face challenges since albinism is seen as a curse. The lack of knowledge and education regarding the condition can be considered to be the major factor that has led many people in such countries to continue believing that albinism is a curse. What is required is effective public sensitization and enforcement of laws that protect all human rights without discrimination.
Moreover, albinos should be accorded the support that they need and sensitized on the importance of self-care to ensure that the risk of cancer infections and other problems are minimized for enhanced quality of life. This way, it will be easy to have a society that does not discriminate against people because of their medical condition and one that is willing to support people who need help in life to live with the conditions that they have. Overall, albinism is a biological condition that people should understand no one has control over; hence, the cultural perception should be avoided.
References
- Brilliant, M. H. (2015). Albinism in Africa: a medical and social emergency. International health, 7(4), 223-225.
- Brocco, G. (2015). Labeling albinism: language and discourse surrounding people with albinism in Tanzania. Disability & Society, 30(8), 1143-1157.
- Kamaraj, B., & Purohit, R. (2014). Mutational analysis of oculocutaneous albinism: a compact review. BioMed research international, 2014.
- Lamble, L. (16th January, 2019). Tanzanians with albinism embrace a life beyond stigma and superstition. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/global- development/2019/jan/16/tanzania-albinism-life-beyond-stigma-and-superstition
- Manga, P., Kerr, R., Ramsay, M., & Kromberg, J. G. (2013). Biology and genetics of oculocutaneous albinism and vitiligo–common pigmentation disorders in southern Africa. South African medical journal, 103(12), 984-988.
- Mártinez‐García, M., & Montoliu, L. (2013). Albinism in E urope. The Journal of dermatology, 40(5), 319-324.
- Simeonov, D. R., Wang, X., Wang, C., Sergeev, Y., Dolinska, M., Bower, M., ... & Huizing, M. (2013). DNA variations in oculocutaneous albinism: an updated mutation list and current outstanding issues in molecular diagnostics. Human mutation, 34(6), 827-835.
- United Nations, (n.d.). International albinism awareness day 13 June. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/en/events/albinismday/background.shtml
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