Mayo Clinic notes,”Sickle cell anemia is caused by a mutation in the gene that tells your body to make the red, iron-rich compound that gives blood its red color (hemoglobin). Hemoglobin allows red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body. In sickle cell anemia, the abnormal hemoglobin causes red blood cells to become rigid, sticky and misshapen.The sickle cell gene is passed from generation to generation,mother and the father must have it so that the child would be affected. If only one parent is affected then the child will have the trait but not be affected “(“Sickle Cell Anemia”).
How common is the Genetic Disorder
American Society of Hematology states, Sickle cell trait affects 1 million to 3 million Americans. Sickle cell trait can also affect Hispanics, South Asians, Caucasians from southern Europe, and people from Middle Eastern countries. “More than 100 million people worldwide have sickle cell trait” (“Sickle Cell Anemia”).