Yes, a white person can get sickle cell anemia. While commonly associated with specific populations, this genetic blood disorder can affect individuals of any background, a fact often misunderstood. Its prevalence is tied to ancestral origins and geographic regions, not racial classifications. This understanding clarifies how the condition is inherited and distributed globally.
Understanding Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder that impacts red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. In this condition, a genetic alteration causes hemoglobin, the protein within red blood cells, to form abnormally. This leads the typically round and flexible red blood cells to become rigid and take on a crescent or “sickle” shape. These misshapen cells are less flexible and can obstruct small blood vessels, impeding normal blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues and organs.
The Genetics of Sickle Cell
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited condition in an autosomal recessive pattern. An individual must inherit two copies of the altered gene, known as the HBB gene, to develop the disease, one from each biological parent.
If a person inherits only one copy of the altered HBB gene, they become a carrier of the sickle cell trait and typically do not develop the disease. This genetic mechanism explains why the condition can appear in diverse populations, as it depends on the genetic makeup inherited from parents.
Ancestry and Global Distribution
The global distribution of sickle cell anemia is linked to ancestral origins from regions where malaria was or still is common. Historically, having one copy of the sickle cell gene (the trait) provided a degree of protection against severe malaria, leading to its higher prevalence in these areas over generations. These regions include sub-Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean basin (Greece, Turkey, and Italy), the Middle East, and parts of India.
Individuals whose ancestors originated from these areas, regardless of their current self-identified “race,” may carry the gene. Thus, a person who identifies as white can have ancestors from these historically malaria-prone regions, making it possible for them to carry the sickle cell trait or develop the disease if they inherit two copies of the altered gene. This highlights that genetic predispositions follow ancestral migration patterns, not contemporary racial classifications.
Sickle Cell Trait Versus Disease
Sickle cell trait (SCT) differs from sickle cell disease (SCD). Most people with the trait do not experience symptoms and lead normal lives.
Individuals with the trait can pass the altered gene to their children. If both parents carry the sickle cell trait, their child could inherit two altered genes and develop sickle cell disease. A person who identifies as white can carry the trait without being aware, especially if their ancestry includes regions where the trait is more common.