Jewish Genetic Diseases

Today, more than 4000 genetic diseases are known to affect humankind in a very negative way. The mystery of genetic diseases seems to wane as more and more people get to understand the basics of genetics better. The facts that people are continuing to get are proving to be very helpful by the day. The greatest mystery surrounding genetic diseases is the fact that they affect people of a particular family, ethnic group, race or demographic group. Against this backdrop, one can easily note that some diseases occur almost exclusively among the Jewish people.

Most genetic diseases that affect the Jewish people are incapacitating. A few of them have mild consequences on the patients' physical abilities. Tay-Sachs is the most commonly occurring genetic disease among the members of the Jewish community. This disease has mild negative effects, unlike many others, which are responsible for wiping out many Jewish families.

People who suffer from Jewish genetic diseases need to be taken care of in a very special way. Beta Thalassemia is a disease that is genetically transmitted among many Jews. This inherited disorder is also referred to as Cooley's anemia. Patients with this disease go through mutation of beta hemoglobin chain. No man can do anything in order to prevent this genetically triggered change from occurring.

Immediately after birth, a baby with Beta Thalassemia does no show any symptoms. This is because fetal hemoglobin is still the dominant element in the baby's blood. In a matter of months, everything changes and the symptoms come out. The condition starts worsening. Children develop anemia that is life threatening.

Bloom's Syndrome is a genetic disease that is also very common among Jews. It is transmitted through a recessive gene. In this case, both parents should be carriers of the recessive gene in order for the disease to be passed on to future generations. All victims of this disease have a very short stature and a very high-pitched voice. They are also highly susceptible to respiratory illnesses. People with Bloom's syndrome also tend to be mentally retarded.

The Bloom's Syndrome can be tested through chromosome analysis. Once this has been done, the diagnosis process can be said to be complete. In order for carrier testing to be done, a sample of a person's blood is needed. The test will ascertain whether any gene changes have occurred. This disease is very common among the Ashkenazi Jews.

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