Progress is also being seen in Tanzania where the government set up boarding schools for albino children for their protection; so they’re not snatched up as they make their way either to or from school.
“What I have come to learn is that people lack an understanding of what albinism is. But after explaining to them they come to think, ah, this is a normal person like me,” Waithera said.
According to Science, albinism is genetically inherited and it is caused by a recessive gene that is usually associated with other mutations.
Tanzania has one of the highest rates of albinism in the world — nearly 1 in every 1,400 people in comparison to about 1 in 20,000 worldwide.
Although albinism is hereditary, albinos can have normal offspring with a mate who doesn’t have the recessive gene.
Other species affected by albinism include gorillas, reindeers, snakes, frogs and even birds.
There is no known way of preventing albinism. Genetic counseling is however recommended for people with a family history of albinism when they decide to have children.
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