Association with malariaSickle cell trait provides a survival advantage over people with normal hemoglobin in regions where malaria is endemic. The trait is known to cause significantly fewer deaths due tomalaria, especially whenPlasmodium falciparumisthe causative organism. This is a prime example ofnatural selection, evident by the fact that the geographical distribution of the gene (for hemoglobin S) and the distribution of malaria in Africa virtually overlap. Because of the unique survival advantage, people with the trait increase innumber as more people infected with malaria and having the normal hemoglobintend to succumb to the complications.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 12:17:44 +0000
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