Arches. Photo by Daniel Chia
HOPES: Huntington's Outreach Project for Education, at Stanford

Cystic Fibrosis

a common genetic disorder that involves a mutation in a protein called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, or CFTR for short. It affects the entire body, causing disability and early death. Difficult breathing is the most common symptom and is caused by lung infections that can be treated, but not cured by antibiotics. There are other symptoms, including sinus infections, poor growth, diarrhea, and infertility.