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Informative Essay On Rett Syndrome

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It’s Christmas day and I’m sitting next to one of my favorite cousins. Her name is Amanda Ruth and I am helping her color a paper for her Uncle James, my dad. Amanda has Rett Syndrome and is nineteen. She is eighteen months older than me and she and I are very close. She and I have had an extremely strong bond since I was four years old. At the Congress in November, there were several speakers who spoke about changing lives. They also said we, as future physicians, hold the future of so many lives in our hands. We also have a huge impact on our patient’s lives. When the speakers said all of this, that really got me thinking about who’s life I could change. I was sitting next to her trying to figure out what to do for my scholarship challenge. Then I looked at Amanda, who is going off on one of her rants and my inspiration comes to me. Why don’t I try to figure out a better life for kids and families who are affected by Rett Syndrome? I then decided if I ever had the chance to change someone’s world, it would be my cousin Amanda’s and her family. We often hear about people with autisms and Down’s syndrome, but how often do we hear people talk about Rett …show more content…

This gene is believed to be able to control the function of several other genes. This wasn’t discovered until 1999. The MECP2 gene is believed to contain instructions for the synthesis of a protein called methyl cytosine binding protein 2. This protein is responsible for the development of the brain and acts as one of the many biochemical switches. This can either increase gene expression or it can tell other genes to turn off and stop production of their own unique routine. Since the gene doesn’t function properly with those who have Rett Syndrome, they have an insufficient amount or structurally abnormal forms of proteins produced. This can cause other genes to be abnormally

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