GENETIC SELECTION

One in Two Inherit Genetic Disorders
12/07/1995

	Annie Kaye and Mother Barbara
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We are only really now beginning to realise the impact of genetics and genetic disorders on the lives of us all. Over one million people in Britain are members of families affected by genetic disorders and 15,000 babies are born each year with a significant disability.

Furthermore, one in two deaths of children under 16 are caused by genetic disorders and 1 in two children in hospital have inherited some kind of genetic disorder.

One such sufferer is 16 year old Annie Kaye, who was only very recently diagnosed with the genetic disorder Friedreich’s ataxia, which is a disabling and often fatal disorder of the nervous system. Annie is a promising young footballer and on the fringe of the England squad. However, the continuation of a footballing career now looks almost impossible. She first started to notice problems with her muscle control and balance whilst playing football with her brother Ryan, 14, but has since experienced loss of balance whilst conducting daily activites, such as getting off the bus.

Her mother Barbara, also an excellent footballer when she was younger, initially thought these problems may have been due to excessive training, but a specialist recently confirmed the diagnosis of Friedreich’s ataxia after several blood tests.