Premarital screening (testing) for Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Essay

Premarital screening (testing) for Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease (CSD) - Essay Example The thalassemias are a group of heterogenous group of inherited disorders caused by genetic defects as a consequence of which decreased synthesis of either the alpha or beta chain of HbA occurs (Aster, 2007, pg.632). When deficient synthesis of beta chain occurs, it is known as beta-thalassemia and when alpha synthesis is affected, it is known as alpha-thalassemia. Sickle cell anemia is a type of disease characterized by production of defective hemoglobins because of which sickling of red cells occurs in certain conditions (Aster, 2007, pg.628). Thalassemia has a wide distribution, particularly in areas where malaria has been endemic like in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, India and China). It is most common around the Mediterranean Sea, especially in Italy and Greece (Al-Suliman, 2006). The prevalence of the ÃŽ ²-thalassemia gene is estimated to range between 0.01 to 0.15 in various areas of Saudi Arabia (Al-Suliman, 2006). Several reports from Arab countries indicate that ÃŽ ²-thalassemia carriers have common genetic abnormalities, and the frequency of this disorder varies from country to country in the Middle East and is reported as 1% to 15% (Al-Suliman, 2006). In a study by Karimi and colleagues (2002), the prevalence of beta-thalassemia trait was estimated to be 5-10%. Hemoglobin S is most common in persons of African ancestry. In some regions of Africa, it has been estimated that up to 40% of the population is heterozygous for hemoglobin S. The gene is also present in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Indian popula tions. Ten percent of American blacks are estimated to be heterozygous and 1 in 650 as homozygous (Schwarting, 2007). The normal hemoglobin of humans contains 4 globin chains. These are denoted as 2 ÃŽ ± and 2 non-ÃŽ ± chains. There are 3 normal variants of hemoglobin based on the nature of the non-ÃŽ ± chains. The commonest variant is Hemoglobin A (ÃŽ ±2ÃŽ ²2) which accounts for 95% to 98% of the total in adults. The adults

Argument Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Argument - Assignment Example This is because as long as cannabis may have the best chemical components to cure such disease, its’ negative effects are far much greater to be used as medicine (Affeld, 2013). Marlene bases her arguments on several medical researches indicating that, when marijuana mixed with special oil and applied on to the cancer patient, then its potentials to mitigate the growth and spread of such diseases work out. She makes conclusion that, this method is far much better than the use of chemotherapy. However, she has not given specific scenario where accurate evidences can be found. Besides, there is no adequate statistics showing the number of survivor who have since used such methods and succeeded. Similarly, the article has indicated that marijuana.Com, a website that steer-head the use of this drug posted that marijuana contains ingredient that cure cancer. More to the contradiction in this report is that, researches only indicate the confirmation based on research organizations such as the National cancer institute and Virginia commonwealth university department of pharmacology. However, there is no appropriate evidence where it has been used as an extract for medicine (Affeld, 2013). The state research institute (NIC) is also supportive towards the use of marijuana for medicinal functions. I dismiss this point, as outdated research since the right procedure to launch medical research analysis such as government involvement was not followed. For this reason, the federal government has maintained its stand that cannabis is still illegal in the United States (Affeld, 2013). While I do not support Marlene’s research concerning marijuana medicinal value, I may not agree to the fact that there are better drugs that are better alternative to marijuana. Legalizing such drugs in the United States may lead to initiation of groups that are always credible avenue to criminal dens. If marijuana can