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An aberration occurring in humans and other vertebrates, albinism is an absence of pigment in the eyes, skin, hair, scales, or feathers caused by a genetic defect. Albino animals rarely survive in the wild because they lack the pigments that normally provide the protective coloration and a screen against the sun’s rays. Humans have long bred certain albino animals, such as rabbits, for their appearance. In humans with total albinism, the affected person has milk-white skin and hair; the iris of the eye appears pink and the pupil is red. Problems with vision are common in albinism. Total albinism occurs in all races in about one in 20,000 persons.
Examples of albinism in a Sentence
Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 14 Aug. 2024
This discrepancy surprised us because the genetic mutation that causes melanism occurs less frequently than the one that causes albinism/leucism.
—Elizabeth Carlen, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
Notice the dark color of the turtle’s eyes in the photo—this is one trait that distinguishes leucism from albinism, since leucism does not affect the eyes’ pigmentation.
—Samuel Sanders, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2024
Pigment disorders, such as albinism, can occur when too much or too little melanin is produced.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near albinism
Cite this Entry
“Albinism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/albinism. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.
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