WHY I SHOULD KNOW MY GENOTYPE

When most persons think about want to know about their future spouse before marriage, it is things like

1.  If he/she wanted kids,
2.  If we shared similar religious beliefs,

3.  If he is an alcoholic or drug addict,

4. If he had a history of infidelity or if he had any sexually transmitted diseases.

Many Nigerians would add other things to the aforementioned incomplete list: The issue of Genotype does not set in, whether their potential spouse has the sickle cell trait or even a Sickler is not in consideration

WHAT IS GENOTYPE

Let’s start from the meaning of Genotype in elementary Biology: A genotype is simply the genetic constitution of an individual organism.

Gene structure

TYPES OF GENOTYPE

Gene is a unit inside a cell that controls a particular quality in a living thing that has been “passed on” from its parents, or inherited from both parents.
Gene-type found in RBCs are termed “AA”, “AS”, “AC” or “SS”, “CC”, "SC

=HbAA : Normal Genotype 

=HbAS : (SICKLE CELL TRAIT). This individual is a carrier of the sickle cell trait Hb (Gene “S”). The individuals with this genotype are usually strong, and healthy without showing signs of Sickle anaemia. They are know to survive Mosquito attack generally. 

=HbSS : (Sicklers) Associated with severe crisis, acompanied by anaemia

=HbAC (not common but having similar condition with Genotype AS)
=HbSC: A variant of HbSS that causes symptoms similar to those of HbSS but less severe

ALSO READ: Can [AS] marry [AS]?

WHY SHOULD I KNOW MY GENOTYPE?

Over the years, the ignorance of genotype knowledge has brought so many untold suffering on parents/couples blaming witches, mother in-laws and enemies for health problems associated with their children infancy.

The primary reason for knowing your genotype is to know who to get married to as seen in the table and interpreted below, to avoid  reproducing SICKLERS (SS).

To everybody reading this post, be it male or female, child or adult. I strongly encourage you to consult your Doctor for a Genotype test today.

I strictly recommends that the below table should be practiced in our society. 

Genotype	possible genotype produced	Medical recommendation
AA - AA	AA, AA	Encouraged
AA - AS	AA, AS	Encouraged
AA - SS	AA, AS,	Encouraged
AS - AS	AA, AS, SS	Discouraged
AS - SS	AS, SS	Discouraged
SS – SS	SS, SS	Highly Discouraged

From the table above.

If your Genotype is HBAS (SICKLE CELL CARRIER), you have no business (sexual relationship) with anybody with HBAS as you have the chances of giving birth to a Sickler (SS)

Genotype SS (sickler) should never go close to anybody with SS for any sexual relationship, it’s an abomination.

Save the lives of your unborn Children and the society in general from menace of SICKLE CELL patients

Save the lives of your unborn Children and the society in general from menace of SICKLE CELL patients

 ALSO READ: CAN GENOTYPE [AS] MARRY GENOTYPE [AC]?

NOTE: Those in the know, especially the Health workers among us, please drop your corrections in the comment box below if any information here is wrong. This post is subject to modifications by PUBLICFACT.

POSTED by PUBLICFACT

WRITTEN by Egbo Ogaga Samuel. B.Sc Science Lab. Tech.