Suppose That You Are a Genetic Counsellor, and a Man

Multiple Choice

Suppose that you are a genetic counsellor, and a man and woman come to you with concerns that if they have a child together, it could have sickle cell anemia. Also suppose that genetic tests reveal that the man and woman are both carriers for sickle cell anemia. Which of the following is the best advice you could give them?

A) They should not have any concerns, because no child that they produce will have sickle cell anemia.
B) Each child that they produce will have a 25% chance of having sickle cell anemia.
C) No child that they produce should have sickle cell anemia, but each of their children's offspring will have a 50% chance of being a carrier.
D) Each child that they produce will have a 50% chance of having sickle cell anemia, and the other 50% will be carriers.