Mauritania Learns A Lesson

Mauritania Learns A Lesson

Mauritania came running home from her village school located in a small village in South Africa. “Momma, Momma! Guess what I learned in science class today!” She was excited to tell her mom something extraordinary. “Mrs. Dalofa told us that Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited blood disorder that is prevalent among many African Americans. She said something about it being beneficial to people who live in Africa because somehow it reduces the risk of malaria. Well, not totally, only individuals who are heteroygotes are resistant to malaria. She said something else about the disease… that it was a mutation that resulted because one amino acid was substituted for another amino acid in the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells (Aidoo). But isn’t it amazing that this deadly disease is also beneficial!?”
“Now my little Maurtee, calm yourself down. Your teacher is somewhat correct. But there is a deeper root to this disea...