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Marfan Syndrome Research Paper

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Marfan Syndrome Research Paper
Jethro LeRoy Gibbs
Mr. Vance
Biology
24 December 2012
Strong Externally, Weak Internally

There was a high debate and many aweing theories arguing if Abraham Lincoln had a disorder called Marfan syndrome or not, which was eventually resolved when Lincoln actually inherited a disease called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2B. Contributing to the dispute of Marfan syndrome in Abraham Lincoln, in 1964 a physician published his findings and observations in the Journal of the American Medical Association which diagnosed Abraham Lincoln that he had Marfan syndrome (Kugler). However, his conclusions were eventually proven wrong. But despite the false accusations, Marfan syndrome does exist in this world. Anyone who inherits Marfan syndrome faces the real risks and threats which contain devastating consequences. For example, a hard blow to the upper chest can result in immediate death because the connective tissues are alarmingly weak which can lead to serious heart complications and internal bleeding (Schnitzer 198). Abnormalities in the skeleton, heart, and eyes all contribute to the characterization of Marfan syndrome (Schnitzer 198). Any affected or damaged connective tissues can create or cause internal complications, especially concerning with the heart and the aorta (“Marfan Syndrome”), which is the most serious life threatening risk that can prove to be fatal (Jay). Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder, characterized by several malfunctions including long bone overgrowth and several abnormalities of the skeleton, heart, and eye, which is caused by a defect and negative mutations in the fibrillin gene or fibrillin-1 that can weaken and devastate the connective tissues throughout the body guaranteeing further complications. In other words, Marfan syndrome weakens the connective tissues, augmenting the risk of damage in bone overgrowth, the skeleton, heart, and eye and at the same time affecting multiple crucial systems throughout the body.
Marfan syndrome is a


Cited: "Birth Defects." March of Dimes. March of Dimes Foundation, n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2013. <http://www.marchofdimes.com/baby/birthdefects_marfan.html>. Board, A.D.A.M Kugler, Mary, R.N. "President Lincoln and Marfan Syndrome." About.com Rare Diseases. About.com, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2013. <http://rarediseases.about.com/cs/marfansyndrome/a/092402.htm>. "Learning About Marfan Syndrome." Learning About Marfan Syndrome "Marfan Syndrome Diagnosis." ThirdAge.com. ThirdAge Media, LLC, n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2013. <http://www.thirdage.com/hc/c/marfan-syndrome-diagnosis>. "Marfan Syndrome." Marfan Syndrome "Marfan Syndrome." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Mar. 2013. Web. 23 Mar. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marfan_syndrome>. Schnitzer, Thomas J
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