Red and Green Colorblindness

Justin Ho

What is it?• Red and Green Colorblindness is a genetic

disorder that is caused by a defective “X” chromosome. It is a X-linked recessive gene, and is most commonly found in boys than girls.(5% of males, compared to 0.1% of females suffer from green colorblindness).

XB Xb

XB

Y

XBXB XBXb

XBY XbY

Normal Daughter

Carrier Daughter

Normal Son

Color Blind Son

History of the Disease • Red and green colorblindness was first studied

by John Dalton, an English Chemist, who was color blind (deuteranopia=green color blindness).

• People who have the disease: Mr. Rogers, Paul Newman, Bill Clinton, and Bob Dole

Types of Red Colorblindness

• There are two categories:• Protanopia- The L-cones are missing in the retina,

and causes blindness in the red spectrum.• Protanomaly- The L-cones are defective and it

interferes with a person’s ability to see some shades of red.

*L-cones are long wave length sensitive cones (red)

Types of Green Colorblindness

• There are two categories:• Deuteranopia- The M-cones are missing/non

functioning and causes blindness in the green spectrum.

• Deuteranomaly- The M-cones are defective and interferes with their ability to see green.

*M-cones are medium wave length cones(green)

How it is being treated

Scientists administer a virus that carries altered genetic information that supplies the missing L opsin gene into the retina. According to studies, within 24 weeks, monkeys that have been tested with the virus, have successfully regained the ability to see part of the red spectrum that they previously weren’t able to see.

Living with Color Blindness

• People who are inflicted with color blindness are not allowed to do some jobs in the military, such as being a pilot or an engineer.

• Hard to see traffic lights.• Hard to cook meat.

Bibliography

• http://www.colour-blindness.com/variations/red-green/