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Cell Anemi The Common Genetic Disorder Essay

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SICKEL CELL ANEMIA

Sickle Cell Anemia or (SCD) is the most common genetic disorder across the entire world it is an inherited genetic condition giving to you by both your mother and father that affects your hemoglobin. There is a mutation in the gene that tells your body to make hemoglobin (a red iron rich compound that gives blood its red color). There are over 600 million hemoglobin molecules in each red blood cell (Brown, M. (2012)). The purpose of hemoglobin is allow red blood cells to carry carbon dioxide, and oxygen from your lungs to all parts of the body. People with sickle cell disease inherit the s gene from abnormal hemoglobin from both parents, you usually find out you have this disease at birth. A blood test is giving to all newborns to look for the s gene known as the sickle cell gene.

Children and adults can also have this test done. Young children’s blood is usually taken from a finger or heel prick for this test. Adults can have their blood drawn from a vein in the arm. Pregnant woman who want to know if there baby will have sickle cell disease can have their unborn baby tested by the amniotic fluid surrounded by the fetus to look for the s gene. In people with sickle cell anemia the abnormal hemoglobin causes red blood cells to become rigid, sticky and crescent shaped. The crescent shape is why they call it the s gene. Both of your parents must carry the s gene. If only one parent has the s gene and passes it
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