Each genotype codes for a specific feature and gives rise to observable outward or physical attributes, called phenotype which mostly depends on the genotype and the environment. When genotype is discussed in love and relationships, it is often about genetic disorders – diseases that can be passed from parents to their offspring, chief of which is sickle cell disorder in our environment. Only haemoglobin AA is normal while AS and AC are carriers, containing the abnormal gene but do not have sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease develops when an individual inherits a defective haemoglobin genotype from each parent. Carriers of the abnormal haemoglobin gene should marry individuals with a normal haemoglobin genotype (AA) to prevent sickle cell disease, a multisystemic lifelong disease that limits life expectancy and productivity, in their children.

Source: The Guardian February 03, 2019 08:15 UTC