The lethal part of the gene means that there are no hamsters with two platinum genes. All have one platinum and one non-platinum gene. Those hamsters who did have two platinum genes (got one from each parent) die in the womb and are reabsorbed by the mother. It does her no harm. It does mean that the number of babies in litters born to two platinums are 25% smaller on average than those born to a platinum and a non-platinum. The surviving babies are entirely healthy and normal, however, and can be bred or kept as pets without any concern for health problems (beyond those of any Campbells).
Platinums can range from mostly colored with very few white hairs to mostly white with very few colored hairs. In the extreme, a Dilute Platinum is an entirely white hamster.
