The study of genetics is fascinating, and there are some very rare and unusual genetic diseases and disorders.
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is one of these. It is a skeletal disease that gradually turns your muscles, ligaments and tendons into bone. Congenital methemoglobinemia is another rare condition. A protein called methemoglobin starts to replace the haemoglobin which carries oxygen in your red blood cells. This can lead to dangerously low levels of oxygen in your blood. One of the consequences of this can be blue skin!!
It is not only humans who experience rare disorders. Spare a thought for Jeremy the snail. Jeremy was unfortunate to have a left-curling shell, as a result of an extremely rare mutation. As few as one in a million snails have a left-curling shell. Romantically this made life very difficult for Jeremy, as snails with this mutation have their reproductive organs on the left- hand side of the body. Consequently they can only mate with fellow left -curling snails!
Click on the picture below to see the guide.
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