An 11-year-old boy in Palo Alto—banned for 11 days from Jordan Middle School for carrying the cystic fibrosis gene, although showing no symptoms—was allowed to return after school administrators reconsidered their decision.

Colman Chadam and his family were told that the student had to transfer from his school to one three miles away because the student posed a risk to two brothers at the school who have the disease. Although the disease is not contagious, those who have cystic fibrosis can carry bacteria that can be a threat to others with the disease who are not siblings.

The Chadams argued that while Colman tests positive for genes connected to cystic fibrosis, he shows no symptoms and passed a sweat test commonly used to diagnose the often-fatal lung disease. They had volunteered the genetic information, gleaned from a newborn screening, on school enrollment forms and were surprised by the school’s reaction.

“The school district freaked out,” Colman’s mother, Jennifer Chadam, told the San Francisco Chronicle.

The family had already begun legal action when the district agreed to a settlement that allowed the student back in school as long as he abided by accepted cystic fibrosis protocols, including staying 3 to 6 feet away from kids with the afflicted brothers.

Colman switched classes to avoid the potential contact.

About 30,000 adults and children in the United States have cystic fibrosis, nearly half of the 70,000 sufferers diagnosed worldwide. A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce thick mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to lung infections. The disease obstructs the pancreas and prevents natural enzymes from helping the body absorb food. Patients have an average life expectancy of under 40.

–Ken Broder

To Learn More:

6th-Grader Back in School Despite Genes (by Jill Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle)

Colman Chadam, California Boy Ordered to Transfer Schools for Carrying Cystic Fibrosis Gene, Goes Back to Class (by Emmeline Zhao, Huffington Post)

Boy in School Flap over Cystic Fibrosis (by Jill Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle)

Boy Kicked out of School Because He Has Gene for Cystic Fibrosis (by Lisa Flam, Health Today)