Have you ever wondered what the difference is between sickle cell trait and sickle cell anemia? Every day thousands of people ask themselves the same thing. Most people might think that these are the same disorder, but this is actually not the case. When we are born we receive the hemoglobin A gene from both of our parents. Hemoglobin A is a normal protein found inside red blood cells. It gives blood its red color and carries oxygen to all parts of the body. A person who has sickle cell trait receives a hemoglobin A gene from one parent and a hemoglobin S gene from the other parent. Hemoglobin S is an abnormal hemoglobin protein that occurs in red blood cells in patients with sickle cell disease, however, if a person has only one hemoglobin A gene and one hemoglobin S gene, there is enough hemoglobin A to make so that red blood cells can function normally (XXXX). This is not a disease, it will not turn into a disease later, no medical treatment is needed, and the person will lead a normal life. Sickle cell anemia occurs when a person receives a sickle hemoglobin (S) gene from one parent and a sickle hemoglobin (S) gene from the other parent. Hemoglobin A is low or absent. When red blood cells carrying hemoglobin S release their oxygen to the tissue, they change from round to sickle-shaped (XXXX). Hence the name sickle cell anemia. Who is at risk for sickle cell anemia? Sickle cell anemia is more common in people whose families come from Africa, South or Central America, Caribbean islands, and Mediterranean countries (such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy), India, and Saudi Arabia (XXXX). It seems to me that people with dark skin or whose ancestors had dark skin are at risk for sickle cell anemia or sickle cell trait. It is...... middle of paper ...... hemoglobin helps prevent sickling of red blood cells and improves anemia (XXXXX). There are also new treatments called blood and marrow stem cell transplants. The stem cells used for a transplant must come from a strictly compatible donor. The transplant process is and can lead to serious side effects or even death. This treatment may even offer a cure for only a small number of people and the risk is too great. Gene therapy is another new treatment. Gene therapy is being studied as a possible treatment for sickle cell disease. Researchers want to know if a normal gene can be inserted into the bone marrow stem cells of a person with sickle cell disease. This would cause the body to produce normal red blood cells. Researchers are also studying whether it is possible to "turn off" the sickle hemoglobin gene or "turn on" a gene that causes red blood cells to behave normally.