Achondroplasia Essay

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Achondroplasia is a genetic bone growth disorder. It is the most common form of disproportionate short stature, dwarfism. It occurs in one in every 15,000 to 40,000 births. The disorder is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, but over 80% of cases are spontaneous mutations. The risk is increased with advanced parental age. Achondroplasia generates from a mutated FGFR3 gene. Unfortunately this disorder cannot be cured, but research is being dedicated to finding a cure. (Learning about Achondroplasia, May 11, 2012)
Inheritance/Causes
Achondroplasia (ACH) is a genetic disorder that is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. This means that the disorder is not X or Y linked and is caused by the mutation of any other type of chromosome. Since ACH is a dominant disorder, meaning only one copy of a gene has a mutation or a mistake; it only takes one parent to cause the gene mutations. Dominant disorders are not inherited from mutated gene in the parent; they are new mutated genes that develop in the child, which is why people that suffer from Achondroplasia can have average-sized kids. ACH is a birth defect that is caused by mutations in the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene. FGFR3 is the protein responsible for lengthening bones. Its specific role is to slow down bone growth and balance the effects of other receptors and molecules that encourage growth. When FGFR3 is active, bone growth is slowed and when it’s inactive, bone growth accelerates. In people that suffer from Achondroplasia, FGFR3 is never in inactive so their bone growth never accelerates. Mutations on the FGFR3 gene are what prevent the growth of cartilage. When the receptor (R) of FGFR3 is missing, the growth factor can’t act properly and the growth...

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...ted money to many organizations like the Greenberg Foundation at John Hopkins Hospital. TBFA has many big-name sponsors like ESPN, Disney, Starbucks, and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. (Teddy Bear Foundation for Achondroplasia)
Conclusion
It is pretty outstanding how Achondroplasia is such a common disorder. However, what is really mind boggling is that there is still no cure or treatment that a person could go through. Since the disorder is so common and so impactful, you would think more research would be dedicated to finding a cure. Achondroplasia has many painful side effects and causes much strain on people’s lives. If a person suffers from Achondroplasia and decides to have kids, they have a 50% chance of passing it on to their children. Overall, Achondroplasia is a debilitating autosomal disorder that causes unnecessary amounts of strain on everyday lives.

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