Sickle-Cell Anemia: A Life-Threatening Disease

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“About one in 12 African Americans, a much larger proportion than in most populations, is heterozygous for Sickle-Cell Anemia” (Biggs 323). This is an extraordinarily large number of African Americans. Especially considering the fact that Sickle-Cell Anemia is a co dominant disorder (Biggs 324). People who have come from or live in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea can have the disease as well. This disease affects a huge population that is increasing everyday. That is why it is important to know how Sickle-Cell Anemia is genetically inherited, what its symptoms are, and how it can be treated. Sickle-Cell Anemia, a co dominant disease, causes ones body to generate an inadequate amount of red blood cells, but it can be inhibited and favorably treated.

Sickle-Cell Anemia occurs when one inherits the trait from each of the parents or is a carrier for it, and there is a lack of oxygen (Bryant). According to Genetics and Inherited Conditions, "approximately one in six-hundred babies born in the United States to African American parents have sickle-cell disease" (Berman). Considering the amount of people one would see every day, this is a substantial number. Since Sickle-Cell Anemia is co dominant there are people who have the Sickle-Cell trait, and there are those who completely have Sickle-Cell Anemia. According to the Biology book, "Co dominant alleles is a pattern where phenotypes of both homozgote parents are produced in heterozygous offspring so that both alleles are equally expressed" (Biggs 1120). This means that neither sickle cells or red blood cells are dominant over each other. If one is a carrier for the trait that means that the person has sickle cells along with red blood cells in his body. T...

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Biggs, Alton, et al. Biology: The Dynamics of Life. New York: Glencoe-McGraw, 2004. Print.

Bryant, Jane B, et al., comps. “Patient Information: Sickle Cell Anemia (the Basics).” UpToDate. Ed. Kathryn A Martin, et al. N.p., 3 Oct. 2011. Web. 6 Mar. 2015.

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Harris, Jacqueline. Sickle Cell Disease. Minneapolis: Lerner Publishing Group, 2001. N. pag. Book Collection Nonfiction: Middle School Edition... Web. 2 Mar. 2015. .

“Sickle Cell Disease.” Genetic Learning Center. N.p., 31 Dec. 1969. Web. 6 Mar. 2015. .

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