evolution?

Question

Discuss the interaction of processes of evolution and cultural factors in the development of sickle cell allele frequencies in African and African-American populations. maximum answer 1 paragraph.

Answer 1

Sickle cell disease is a recessive inherited condition caused by an abnormal haemoglobin (HbSS), which causes death in early childhood if not symptomatically treated for life. Someone who is a carrier for the disease (HbAS) will have an inherent resistance to malaria, a common cause of death in childhood in developing nations, particularly in Africa. When a HbAS carrier is infected by a malarial parasite, the parasites enter the red cells, and the red cell sickles, and is destroyed - along with the parasite - by the body's immune system. Being a carrier therefore increases your chances, in malaria endemic areas, of surviving to adulthood. Sickle cell disease is therefore overall a benefit to the population, even though some children die. Where malaria is not endemic, such as in the US, sickle cell disease is a burden on health, due to its expense in lifelong treatment. It is not a benefit, since overall, it does not lead to an increase in possibility of offspring compared to non-carriers. In fact, it may lead to a decrease, since there may be a stigma attached to being a carrier.
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Answer 2

nerd