Shawn

__**Cystic Fibrosis**__ =

= **Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited, autosomal disease that effects the digestive** **system, and the lungs, most common with the caucasian race. Within these** **organs, a sticky mucus builds up which** **causes respiratory problems,** **incomplete digestion, and increased salt loss f****rom sweat glands. Infections** **within the lungs will commonly occur. About** **70,000 people worldwide are** **effected by this disease. The life expectancy** **of people with Cystic Fibrosis** **is around the mid to upper 30's now because of special physical therapy.** **Things such****as smoking, bad dieting, and** **the spread of bacteria make the** **disorder worse.**


 * ==== Salty taste to the skin ====
 * ====Presistant Coughing====
 * ====Common Lung Infections====
 * ====Common Sinus Infections====
 * ====Poor Weight Gain and Growth====
 * ====Sticky and Thick Mucus When Coughing====
 * ====Wheezing, or Shortness of Breath====



** __The Basic Facts__ ** One of the main causes of this genetic disorder is the mutation of the CFTR gene. The CFTR can be found in the DNA range of q31.2, as shown in the figure below. CFTR gene mutations in the chromosome 7 can lead to the development of Cystic Fibrosis. Within the CFTR gene, there is information that helps produce the proteins that transport salt in, and out of a cell.

__**Statistics**__

 * ==== Around 1,000 new cases of Cystic Fybrosis are diagnosed each year ====
 * ====Nearly 70% of all cases are diagnosed before age two.====
 * ====45% of the Cystic Fibrosis population are above age 18.====
 * ====Around 70,000 people around the world have this disease. **(Around 2.3% of earth's population)**====

**__How It Starts__**

The most common gene mutation is called the (deltaf508) mutation. This means at the 508 position on the gene, there had been a deletion of a code word for an amino acid, the building blocks or proteins, that produce the protein responsible for removing salt. In order for a child to have Cystic Fibrosis, both parents have to carry a faulty gene, and have a 1 and 4 chance of actually having a child with Cystic Fibrosis. A diagram is shown below to demonstrate the basic concept of the genetic carrying of Cystic Fibrosis.

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Genetic Carrier picture courtesy of The Australasian Genetics Resource Book.

Chromosome 7 picture courtesy of []

Girl Coughing picture courtesy of Clipart.com

Lung picture courtesy of []