Tay Sachs Disease

1038 Words3 Pages

Imagine that there is a disease that is terrible and causes trouble for you every day, there is no cure, there is only the dragging on of day after day. This is Tay Sachs Disease, it is a disease that is lifelong, that is, unless it kills you early on in life. This disease has lots of symptoms. These symptoms are a result of how the disease affects the brain and its functionality. This disease is an inherited disease, and is known as a serious genetic disease.(“Health and Wellness Resource center and Alternative Health Module”). This disease is a autosomally recessive disease that is caused by a defect in the HEXA gene which provides instructions for making part of an enzyme called beta hexosaminidase A, which is critical in the brain and spinal cord. (“Health and Wellness Resource center and Alternative Health Module”). This enzyme helps to break down GM2 or ganglioside, which without the enzyme to break it down, accumulates to toxic levels in the brain causing serious, life-threatening complications.(“Student Resources in Context Tay-Sachs “World of Health.Gale,2007.Student Resources in context.Web.22 May 2014”). Three type of this disease are Infant and Juvenile Tay Sachs, Chronic Tay Sachs, and L.O.T.S which is similar to chronic, but occurs later in life.(“Student Resources in Context Tay-Sachs “World of Health.Gale,2007.Student Resources in context.Web.22 May 2014”). Infant and Juvenile result in death while Chronic and L.O.T.S result in a life filled with muscular weakness, and trouble doing everyday activities.(“Health and Wellness Resource center and Alternative Health Module”). Tay Sachs can be spotted before the parents have children by either both admitting to a blood test or if they have a CVS, or Chorionic Villus ... ... middle of paper ... ... inhibit it or make it benefit the person that has it. Almost like genetic engineering in a way. Those who live suffer a fate worse than death, suffering in the life that they have. All in all, Tay Sachs disease is a lifelong terror that lurks in the shadows and strikes when we least expect it. Through studying and analyzing the causes, symptoms, forms, and the prognosis, it is possible for scientist to develop a form of a cure to allow those affected to live longer. It could also open doors to prevent the disease or even lessen the symptoms with those that already have it. All in all, Tay Sachs disease is a horrible and difficult disease to live with, but with all of the advances in genetic technology and engineering, it may be possible to synthesize a cure or an effective remedy to lessen the symptoms of those affected which can make their lives more bearable.

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