Sickle Cell Disease Information

Sickle Cell Trait

The sickle cell trait occurs as a natural alteration of the hemoglobin gene and has been found to serve as a protective mutation against malaria. Over the years, people with sickle cell trait have migrated to other continents spreading and increasing the frequency of this gene throughout the world. Interestingly, people with sickle cell trait are protected from a malarial infection while those with normal hemoglobin appear to be more susceptible to it.

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