albinism, a rare genetic disease that also affects humans

Cases of albino wild animals are rare. Humans can also be affected by this genetic disease, which is not dangerous but can cause discrimination.

A pink elephant has been photographed in South Africa. He’s about a year old, he’s doing well… and so is the author of the photo. Because in general, the “pink elephant” refers to hallucinations linked to alcohol abuse. But none of that here, the keeper who observed this little pink elephant in early February in the Kruger National Park in South Africa was in his right mind. His photo was also published on an American popular science site, Live Science. The pachyderm in question actually has albinism. A genetic mutation that affects the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for the coloring of skin and hair.

In wild animals, this genetic mutation occurs approximately once per 10,000 births. Over the past five years, scientists have been able to identify the birth of an albino panda, a puma and an albino kangaroo… Certain birds, reptiles or fish may also be affected. But in any case, this remains rare.

A genetic disease twice as common in Africa

In humans, we know of around twenty genes responsible for forms of albinism, but this genetic disease is also rare, because it is a “recessive” anomaly. In other words, both parents must carry the gene to pass it on. The prevalence of albinism varies according to geographic areas. It affects one person in 20,000 in Europe and North America, but it is twice as common in Africa. All of these people then have fair skin and blond or red hair.

For ten years, the UN has organized an albinism awareness day every year on June 13. It is important to communicate about this rare disease, because even if it is not dangerous, people who suffer from it must still take precautions. Melanin is in fact a photoprotective pigment: it protects the skin against UV rays and also contributes to the development of the visual system. People with albinism therefore have particularly fragile eyes, with vision problems, and a higher risk of skin cancer when they are exposed to the sun.

Furthermore, in certain regions of the world, particularly in Africa, people affected by albinism are victims of discrimination, or even accused of witchcraft. Over the past ten years, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has received 600 reports of attacks against children and adults affected by this genetic disease.