Diseases
...usband have a family history. Tay-Sachs Disease, is the genetic disorder for which Cajuns have a high risk population. This disease is very fatal and also inherited. It’s a disease of the central nervous system. Tay-Sachs mostly affects babies. When the babies are first born they appear to be normal, but when they reach four to six months of age the signs start to appear. Symptoms of Tay-Sachs disease, is heartbreaking, because there is no cure or treatment. They baby will soon become blind, paralyzed, and not able to understand and recognize its surroundings. Babies with this disease usually die by the age of five. The genetic disorders that affect brain development and result in mental retardation are Cerebral Palsy, PKU, and Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome only has some degree of mental retardation and PKU, if untreated will cause mental retardation. You can do special things to prevent the child from becoming retarded. There are several disease agents(teratogens) that affect and can affect brain development.Thalidomide is one of the most pow...