Fun facts to Know and Tell: SCA survives because it confers malaria resistance. Living in the USA you are unlikely to be exposed to malaria but it's endemic in much of the world.
With two SCA alleles one is likely to come down with SCA and die from it. But with one, as you have, a malaria infection is far less lethal because the one allele has the effect of causing the red blood cells to rupture before the parasites are mature. Zero SCA alleles and malaria is a real danger.
This is just one of several genetic abnormalities that persist because of malaria. Another is favism, allergy to fava beans; this allergy does something similar to red blood cells.
Without the influence of malaria, many genetic deficits would have died our long ago.
I know this has nothing to do with racism.
"(if both parents are carriers there's a high chance the child will have anemia)"
😁 I knew it had something to do with malaria but wasn't clear on the details. I also get bitten by mosquitos less than my sister does which is a huge bonus.
Fun facts to Know and Tell: SCA survives because it confers malaria resistance. Living in the USA you are unlikely to be exposed to malaria but it's endemic in much of the world.
With two SCA alleles one is likely to come down with SCA and die from it. But with one, as you have, a malaria infection is far less lethal because the one allele has the effect of causing the red blood cells to rupture before the parasites are mature. Zero SCA alleles and malaria is a real danger.
This is just one of several genetic abnormalities that persist because of malaria. Another is favism, allergy to fava beans; this allergy does something similar to red blood cells.
Without the influence of malaria, many genetic deficits would have died our long ago.
I know this has nothing to do with racism.
"(if both parents are carriers there's a high chance the child will have anemia)"
One chance in four.
😁 I knew it had something to do with malaria but wasn't clear on the details. I also get bitten by mosquitos less than my sister does which is a huge bonus.