Question
What are the effects of the thalassemia gene heterozygote on the human body?
Answer
Anemia is one of the most common genetic diseases in the southern provinces of our country, with a high incidence rate of over 10%. It is mainly divided into two types: alpha and beta thalassemia. Thalassemia is caused by abnormal structure or abnormal production rate of the globin peptide chain in the hemoglobin molecule, leading to an imbalance in peptide chains and resulting in symptoms of hemolytic anemia. Mild thalassemia (SEA deficiency with alpha thalassemia gene heterozygote) does not pose a threat to life and does not require special treatment, but intermediate and severe thalassemia should adopt surgical and desferrioxamine treatment methods.