Watch CBS News

Palo Alto Boy Pulled From School Due To Cystic Fibrosis Gene

PALO ALTO (CBS SF) - A Palo Alto 11-year-old has been ordered to transfer to another school because he carries the genetic mutations for cystic fibrosis.

Doctors and parents have said Colman Chadam does not have the incurable, non-infectious disease, but his parents disclosed the information on paperwork when enrolling the new student at Jordan Middle School, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report.

The genetic disease, which affects 30,000 American children and young adults, attacks patients' lungs with a thick mucus and most die from lung damage or infection.

People with cystic fibrosis can carry bacteria that is potentially dangerous to others with the condition. Nearly two months into the school year, district officials told the family that Chadam would need to transfer because other students at Jordan suffer from the disease.

According to the Chronicle, the boys parents argued that he does not have full blown cystic fibrosis, and should not be transferred. But school officials removed him from class last Wednesday.

"They made this decision without seeing one medical record on my son," Jennifer Chadam told the Chronicle. "We were shocked and dismayed."

The Chadams have taken the case to court and a judge will hold a hearing on his possible return to Jordan.

 

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.