Albinism is a condition caused by a recessive allele that prevents the development of pigment in the skin and other parts of the body. Albinos need to protect their skin and eyes from sunlight. The allele has a frequency of about 0.00005. What is the likelihood that both members of a couple would carry the allele? Why might two cousins or two members of a small tribe be more likely to have the allele than two nonrelatives from a larger population? If an island population has its first albino baby in history, why might it have suddenly appeared? Would it be possible to eliminate this allele from the human population? Would it be desirable to do so?

The probability of two events occurring together is the product of their individual probabilities. Therefore, the probability of two individuals both having the allele is 0.00005 X 0.00005 = ?. Is it more or less likely that close relatives share some of the same genes than non-related persons? How are recessive alleles different from dominant alleles? Can you identify those individuals that are heterozygous for albinism? What changes would need to be made in the personal freedoms of the population to eliminate the allele?