Help, Sickle Cell and Love?

Question

Am a 26 year old male who is about getting married to a 23 year old friend. At the last counseling session we been attending, we both found out that we have blood group or something relating to blood As, and are currently facing stiff resistance by both family, church, society to getting married.They reason being that we would have children that have sickle cells and might die at tender age.It’s almost a taboo in where we live for people with "As" blood type/group to get married, even the government campaigns against it.
What is sickle cell? Who is a carrier? How can we go around it because I don’t think I would ever live with any other person except Tosin

Answer 1

Sickle Cell is a Red blood cell Disease. The function of Red blood Cells are to carry oxygen to your other cells and keep them breathing, in a way. The Oxygen binds to your hemoglobin, generally hemoglobin A and that is what transports it. Red Blood Cells (RBCs) are generally round with a little dip in the center on both sides, under the microscope they look like little red donuts. Sickle cells have a different form of hemoglobin, Hemoglobin S, it makes the cell look like a little red banana. It cannot bind oxygen and so your cells get oxygen, they cannot breathe, it decreases their functions and makes them sick on a cellular level. Now there are three kinds of genetic types when it comes to sickle cell: Those with two A genes (AA) They are normal- no sickle cell possible. There is one A and one S gene (AS) that makes you a carrier. You are normal and do not express it, but you can pass it your children. If you have two S genes (SS) Then you have sickle cell and you will always have some amount of sickle cells in your system, and in times of stress and illness the number will reflexively increase, making illness longer, stronger, and more miserable. Most illness will need to be hospitalized and have direct nurse/doctor supervision to ensure that adequate care.

Now, if you and your girl are both carriers (AS) your chances are 1 in 4 that your child will have sickle cell- 25%

We determine that by this chart.
You can give either an A or an S
She can give either an A or an S

You A S

Her
A AA AS
Normal Carrier
S AS SS
Carrier Sickle Cell

So 1 normal, 2 carriers, 1 sickle cell

To find out who has sickle cell or is a carrier there is a blood test, hemoglobin electrophoresis. They take your blood and test it for what kinds of hemoglobin you have and can tell you if you have the genes for it.

So, if you want to marry your girl... do it. Don't let anyone stop you from love, that is just cruel. You can decide if you want to take on the possible financial responsiblility of kid or kids that have sickle cell and are constantly in the hospital. Or you can adopt. There are so many children out there that need a good stable household with loving parents. The children you adopt think of you as their parents, to them you are their parents. So what if they didn't come from your genetic makeup, that may only save them the pain and hardship of sickness, but we have so much love to give, it be a shame to turn your back. There are simple procedures to ensure that you cannot reproduce, if you do not want to have kids, they have been in practice for years and do not rob you of your masculinity or her of her femininity.

Answer 2

Sickle cell anemia is a disorder of the blood where some of the cells in the blood do not form correctly. You should marry whoever you want to, but if you know there is a very high risk of passing on this disorder, you should get genetic counseling from an EXPERT, not just somebody who only claims that they know. Medical science is advancing very, very fast, so there me be a way to be sure that your children will not inherit this disorder. One way is to screen the embryos for the disorder. This is controversial, but if its to prevent giving a child a FATAL disorder, then it kind of makes sense, doesn't it? Ultimately you have to make this decision, but if you seek out a genetic counselor (medical, qualified!!!) he or she should be able to give you the answers you need. They might not be what you want to hear, but if they are good at their job they will tell you what you NEED to hear. Good luck!

Answer 3

ok statistically, 25% is the p.c. of having a healthful baby free of the sickle cellular affected gene. 50% is that your baby would have sickle cellular affected gene, yet gained't prepare warning signs(will be a service, like you 2). and 25% is that a baby would have sickle cellular ailment and could conflict through from it. it is your decision. Adoption can continuously be an decision, in case you fairly love one yet another, and by no skill wondering in a selfish way that could want to reason damage and discomfort on your infant, in case you desirous to furnish start to a one.

Answer 4

If you're not in the US, I don't know what the laws are in your country. You mention that "the government campaigns against it." I say if you love her, marry her. If you're in the US, you're both over 18 and do not need anyone's permission to get married.

Answer 5

Please see the webpage for more details on Sickle cell anemia (Sicke cell disease). Consult a doctor.