Question

Sickle Cell Disorder is the result of biocultural evolution, where humans impact the environment which causes new selective forces to act on our traits.

Describe how cultural practices affected the evolution of the sickle-cell trait ?

Answer 1

Cultural factors and socioeconomic backgrounds can affect the quality of life thus can be a reason to affect evolution of sickle cell trait.

The circumstances of number of deaths from sickle cell disease (SCD) has affected a lot specially adults. Major impacts being on arterial blood pressure, pulmonary hypertension, renal failure, iron overload and many more. Iron load can be due to chronic blood transfusion to treat lung failure or stroke.

In developing countries, mostly SCD occurs due to infections and lack of preventive measures ( depending mostly on quality of life). Cultural beliefs change the attitude of people towards SCD, their religious, spiritual, ethical practices not only affect themselves but also to entire family and community. Some believe that they are becoming prone to SCD because of reincarnation, laziness or procrastination. Some believe prayers, or some supernatural powers can save them from SCD instead of any medical treatment.

It is later, these beliefs been improved, people's positive attitude, gaining knowledge and awareness result in changing mindsets of large number of population for sickle cell anemia.

Also there are many such articles on relations between cultural activities and Effects on SCD in various developing countries. Do give them a reading.