Color blindness refers to the inability to differentiate between different colors. In most cases, the condition is inherited, although medications or eye disorders can also cause it. Scientists, mostly ophthalmologists, are conducting experiments in the search for the cure of color blindness. The most promising therapy for color blindness is gene therapy. Although the experiment has only been carried out on monkeys, it will provide a wealth of information on how human beings' vision can be improved. During a radio show at WNYC studios, Jay Neitz, a professor of ophthalmology at the University of Washington Seattle, explained monkeys' experiment that sought to help the monkeys see colors that they do not usually see (Howard & Cole, 2021). While talking on the radio show, Professor Neitz revealed that the experiment on monkeys provided evidence that it is possible to cure color blindness in humans. Professor Neitz explained that they took colorblind monkeys who could not see the color red. He explained that these monkeys have blue cones and green cones but have no red cones, similar to most human males.
The experiment on monkeys provides evidence that it is possible to cure color blindness since the monkeys could see after they were given the human gene for red cone. The experimentalists wrapped the human gene for the red cone in a virus and then injected it into the monkeys' eyes (Howard & Cole, 2021). The experiment proved that curing color blindness is feasible in two ways. First, it showed that it is possible to transfer the genes for color from one person to another. If the experimentalists could transfer the gene from human to monkey, transferring the same from human to human should be easier. Also, it showed that the genes still worked after transfer as monkeys were able to see. Hence, professor Neitz's experiment offers the most significant evidence that color blindness in human beings can be cured.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Tetrachromats refer to a rare group of people who have an extra type of color cone that allows them to see the fourth dimensionality of colors. This condition results from genetic mutation, and it is more prevalent in women. On the other hand, trichromats are the people with the normal three-color cones that enable them to perceive colors. Although people think that tetrachromats have a higher ability to distinguish colors than trichromats, most tetrachromat people have a similar ability to the trichromat. According to Robson (2014), Concetta Antico, a tetrachromat, explained that in many tetrachromats, the extra cone increases only the sensitivity, but the perception of the colors remains the same as in the other people. In addition, professor Neitz explained that the extra color cone is just a spare that is not used in most cases (Howard & Cole, 2021). He even carried out an experiment whereby a woman with a fourth cone confirmed that she did not see any extra color shades. Hence, most tetrachromats distinguish colors just like trichromats.
Professor Neitz's experiments show that it is feasible that human beings will enhance color vision in the future. Professor Neitz explained that the success of the experiment on enhancing color vision in monkeys is viable in human beings. However, there was a need to convince the Food and Drug Administration that the risks of implementing the same on people are low and beneficial to human beings and science (Howard & Cole, 2021). Nevertheless, some obstacles may hinder the feasibility of curing colorblindness. For example, gene therapy may not work on human beings as it did in monkeys, the side effects of the gene transfer may be adverse on human beings, and the ability to see new colors may have an adverse psychological impact on people.
References
Howard, T & Cole, S. (Producers). (2021). The Perfect Yellow. [Radio Podcast] WNYC Studios . https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/segments/211193-perfect-yellow
Robson, D. (2014). The Women with Superhuman Vision. BBC . https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20140905-the-women-with-super-human-vision
