Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a recessive hereditary disease that causes the mucous glands in the lungs and digestive tract to secrete unusually thick and sticky mucus. Instead of acting as a lubricant, these secretions clog the lungs and prohibit the pancreas from working efficiently, resulting in a number of secondary illness characteristics. CF affects approximately 30,000 people in the United States, and an additional 10 million are unaware that they are symptomless carriers of the disease. Because CF is an autosomal-recessive disorder, two recessive genes for the disease (one from each parent) are required for symptoms to develop (Christian, 51).

Symptoms ...