Example

Example of Survival Advantage for Sickle-Cell Carriers

A narrative example demonstrates how the adaptiveness of the sickle-cell mutation relies on the environment. In a malaria-prevalent region, two sisters, Luwi and Sena, are exposed to malaria. Luwi, a carrier of the sickle-cell mutation, is protected and survives, while Sena, lacking the mutation, succumbs to the disease. Luwi's survival, which allows her to reproduce, highlights the mutation's high adaptiveness in her African homeland. Conversely, if Luwi lived in the United States, where malaria is rare, the mutation would be costly—offering no health benefits while causing minor health issues for her and a high probability of sickle-cell disease in her descendants.

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Updated 2026-04-26

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