Sickle cell anemia is a genetic response to malaria. Those with only one gene (carriers) are more resistant to malaria. The problem comes when a person inherits a gene from both parents, therefore being an active case of the disease. In essence, nature trades the lives of the few (sickle cell) for the lives of the many (malaria).
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Any day you wake up on "the right side of the dirt" is a good day.
T. Anderson
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