It is thought that the Beta Thalassemia mutation, similar to the sickle cell anemia mutation, is an example of balancing polymorphisms. Thus, the heterozygotes may display a greater fitness than either of the two homozygotes in the presence of mosquitoes carrying a species of Plasmodium. Let us imagine that the relative finesses are:
Waa = 0.01
WAa = 1
WAA = 0.7
What would be the frequency of the Beta Thalassemia mutation at equilibrium (Hint the mutation frequency is = 1- the wild type allele frequency)?
a. 0.23
b. 0.77
c. 0.53
d. 0.014
e. None of the above