Sickle Cell Disease
Why do people who no longer live in parts of the world where malaria is prevalent still develop sickle cell disease, and how and why does it occur?
Answer:
Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the HBB gene, which provides instructions for making a protein called beta-globin that is part of hemoglobin. The disease is caused by the substitution of a single amino acid in the beta-globin protein. The mutated hemoglobin forms rigid, sickle-shaped red blood cells that can clog blood vessels and restrict blood flow, leading to various symptoms and health complications.
People who no longer live in parts of the world where malaria is prevalent still develop sickle cell disease because the disease is primarily caused by genetics and not by environmental factors. The sickle cell gene provides some protection against malaria, which is why the gene has been maintained in certain populations where malaria is or was common. Over time, the gene has become widespread in populations throughout Africa and the Americas, as well as in some populations in the Middle East, India, and the Mediterranean.
In populations where malaria is not a major public health concern, sickle cell disease is considered a genetic disorder and is not directly influenced by environmental factors. Individuals with the sickle cell gene can still develop the disease, even if they do not live in regions where malaria is prevalent.
