How has either history or technology effected Sickle Cell Anemia?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, modern technology has been of little help in the treatment of sickle cell anemia. We can screen newborns for sickle cell disease, which allows doctors to treat it early. Technology allows us to give genetic counseling to couples who want children but are at higher risk for having a child with the disease. Modern medicine can ease the pain of patients with the disease. Unfortunately, people with the disease have a shorter lifespan than people without it. Gene manipulation can provide a cure but, as for now, it is beyond our technology.

The history of the disease is very interesting. Years ago, malaria was fatal. In Africa, the disease was endemic. Malaria is caused by parasites which infect red blood cells. Interestingly, sickle cells are much more resistant to parasitic infection than normal red blood cells. Thus, a person with sickle cell trait was more resistant to contracting malaria. Darwin's theory, people with a given trait that improves survival will ultimately grow while others without the trait will perish. Well, we now have drugs to cure malaria. There is no longer a need for sickle cells.