Question about genetics and pigmentation in humans?

I know a relative who as a baby was labelled with "mild albinism" by a doctor. He has pigmentation in his eyes and hair to quite a high degree, however, his skin produces little to no pigmentation. (he has actaully started producing more pigmentation over time as he grew up; but as a baby he had light hair and eyes as well). He looks just like everyone else now although he has light skin.


I asked my prof about this and she said he couldn't be classified as albino, b/c that's an all or nothing deal. There's one pigment in humans, therefore one enzyme, and a non-functioning/faulty enzyme means light/pinkish irises, whitish hair, and very pale skin.


We also studied the himalayan cats, and that they produce multiple pigments like some other animals (so I only heard of these mild or partial cases in animals)


So my question is, is this boy an albino? What's the genetic disorder, how does it work? Plz explain the gene interaction as well, b/c I want to understand it better. Thanks! =)

Question about genetics and pigmentation in humans?
Albinism is classified by the loss of melanin production. There are multiple genes in the pathway of this synthesis that can cause the loss of melanin production. There are multiple forms of this and varying degrees of pigmentation in the eyes and elsewhere. The fact that it showed up in your family would likely put your kids at risk for this. The kid is albino based on what you have said, even if pigmentation started happening later on, he still carries the recessive genes.
Reply:You've asked a rather loaded question. Now, no one knows exactly what causes the genes to interact in a way that prevents the enzyme from producing pigmentation. Additionally because your relative has a child who was labeled with 'mild albinism' doesn't mean that you will have a child with the same condition. In any interaction between egg and sperm, there are genes that are active and genes that are recessive (meaning inactive). The genes that become predominant in your child may not be the same as the genes in your relative's child.





Look at a family of disimiliar siblings. You may have in a family with the same two people as parents children who have different hair color, eye color and in some instances skin color. Genetics is an area of science in which there is still a lot of work being done. However, one day I suppose will have all the answers.
Reply:Your children will be albino. 100% chance. On the bright side, you can color them whatever colors you want. Genes are mythical.