http://dailyreckoning.com/solving-the-sickle-cell-crisis/
Solving the Sickle Cell Crisis
By Patrick Coxleadimage
03/21/12
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Marco Island, Florida – The sickle cell trait has its origins in a genetic adaptation common in individuals in which the mosquito-borne disease, malaria, has impacted human life for thousands of years. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, as many as one-third of people carry the gene. It is also found, although less commonly, in populations ringing the Mediterranean, such as North Africa, Spain, Greece and Italy.
Today, the disease is found throughout the world because of migrations from these regions.
Ordinarily, red blood cells have a doughnut-like shape. Individuals with the sickle cell trait, however, also have red blood cells that assume a crescent shape. This sickle cell’s shape confers resistance to the malaria parasite, plasmodium falciparum, which infects red blood cells.
Although the genetic mutation that causes sickle-shaped red blood cells helps people survive in regions plagued by malaria-carrying mosquitoes, it comes at a high price…
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This is a national disaster in the making.
It would seem that we could list all the disease that kill people and have a Presidential prize — a plaque, dinner, and picture — for a cure. What an honor! To be deemed the person who cured XYZ. Not everything means that the taxpayer is on the hook for big bucks.
Remember the March of Dimes. They accidently cured the disease that they were fighting. And instead of going out of business, they found a condition that could never be cured — birth defects. Good thing for all those highly paid execs!
Argh!
Where are the dollar a year people.
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Reinke Faces Life 