Genetic Disorders

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death.
Another single-gene disorder is the Tay Sachs Disease. People who
inherit the faulty Tay Sachs gene lack a crucial enzyme that is needed to break
down fatty substances in brain and nerve cells. As a result, these substances
build up in such large quantities that the central nervous system
gradually stops functioning and the person dies. Symptoms usually become
evident within the first six months of life, and most children die before reaching the age of four. 1 in 3,600 people of eastern European Jewish ancestry carry it.
A category of single-gene disorders known as X-linked disorders involves
genes located on the X chromosome, one of the two sex chromosomes. An
example of an X-linked disorder is hemophilia. People with hemophilia usually
lack 1 of the 14 or more proteins called clotting factors that repair a cut or torn blood vessel. Therefore, when they have an injury their bodies are unable to stop bleeding. About 1 in 10,000 men have hemophilia ...

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