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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Tuberous sclerosis complex is a genetic disorder |
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that impacts the lives of nearly a million people around the world |
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and approximately 50,000 in the United States; and |
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WHEREAS, Transmitted either through genetic inheritance or |
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as a spontaneous genetic mutation, TSC causes tumors to form in many |
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different organs, primarily the brain, eyes, heart, kidneys, skin, |
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and lungs; the disease affects some individuals severely, while |
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others are only slightly affected; because the disease is |
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relatively obscure and symptoms can take a mild form, TSC often goes |
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undiagnosed or is only detected when a parent with mild symptoms has |
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a more severely affected child; and |
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WHEREAS, The tumors resulting from TSC are noncancerous, but |
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can still seriously impair health; in the brain, tumors can block |
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the flow of cerebral spinal fluid, leading to behavior changes, |
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nausea, headaches, or a number of other symptoms; heart tumors |
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called cardiac rhabdomyomas can create problems at birth if they |
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are blocking the flow of blood or causing severe arrhythmia; some |
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children with TSC experience developmental delay, mental |
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retardation, or autism; and |
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WHEREAS, Most people with TSC will enjoy a normal lifespan; |
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however, complications in organs such as the kidneys and brain can |
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lead to severe difficulties or even death if undiscovered or left |
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untreated; to reduce these dangers, people with TSC should be |
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monitored by their physicians; moreover, early intervention can |
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help children to overcome developmental delays; and |
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WHEREAS, In recent years, scientists have identified two |
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genes that can cause TSC, but more research is required to determine |
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exactly how these genes function; increasing our knowledge and |
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understanding of tuberous sclerosis complex will allow more people |
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affected with this disease to receive a correct diagnosis and |
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obtain the treatment necessary to achieve a full, healthy lifespan; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize May 2011 as Tuberous Sclerosis Complex |
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Awareness Month in Texas and encourage all citizens to learn more |
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about this serious health matter. |