Genetic Disorders

 Episode Overview:

GENES ARE THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF HEREDITY.  THEY ARE PASSED DOWN FROM PARENT TO CHILD AND DETERMINE PHYSICAL  CHARACTERISTICS, SUCH AS EYE AND HAIR COLOR.

HOWEVER, SOMETIMES THERE’S A MUTATION IN THE GENES, CAUSING WHAT’S CALLED A GENETIC DISORDER.  IN THIS EPISODE, DR. NANDI AND HIS GUESTS EXPLORE THE WORLD OF GENETIC DISORDERS AND THEIR IMPACT ON FAMILIES.

Partha’s Prescriptions:

1. GENES ARE PASSED FROM PARENTS TO THEIR OFFSPRING. WHEN A MUTATION OCCURS IN THE GENES, IT CAUSES A GENETIC DISORDER. NOT ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS ARE INHERITED.

2. DOWN SYNDROME IS THE MOST COMMON GENETIC CONDITION IN THE UNITED STATES. IT OCCURS AT BIRTH WHEN ADDITIONAL CHROMOSOMES CHANGE THE COURSE OF A BABY’S DEVELOPMENT.

3. SICKLE CELL DISEASE IS AN INHERITED BLOOD DISORDER THAT AFFECTS PRIMARILY AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS. IT’S A LIFELONG DISEASE MARKED BY PERIODS OF PAIN AND SEVERE ANEMIA.

4. AND FINALLY, PEOPLE WITH GENETIC DISORDERS CAN LIVE NORMAL LIVES. THEY ATTEND SCHOOL, GO TO WORK, AND PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES, JUST LIKE YOU AND ME.

Guests Including:

Julia Dooley, Cystic Fibrosis Patient
Amanda Dooley, Cystic Fibrosis Patient
Dan Dooley, Father of Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Anastasia Worthy, Sickle Cell Disease Patient
Allie Hayes, Has Down Syndrome
Mark Hayes, Allie’s Father
Dawn Hayes, Allie’s Mother
Wanda Whitten-Shurney, MD

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Dr. Molly Oshea Birmingham Pediatrics 

Dr. Samya Nasr, MB, BCh Pediatric Pulmonologist, University of Michigan Health System

Dr.Wanda Whitten-Shurney, MD Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist, Children’s Hospital of Michigan