Problem

Case Study 1 Marsha and Clement are both carriers of sickle cell disease, a disease that is autosomal recessive. Their first child, Amelia, does not have the disease. Marsha and Clement are planning another pregnancy, but they are concerned about their second child having the condition. Clement's dad died from complications of sickle cell disease shortly before Amelia was born.

1. Draw a Punnett square to determine the likelihood of Marsha and Clement having a baby with sickle cell disease. What is the chance the baby will be a carrier of the disease, just like the parents?

2. Marsha suggested to the nurse at the local family planning clinic that if the baby were a boy he might have a higher risk for developing the disease, just like his grandfather. If you were this Practitioner, how would you respond?

3. When Amelia, who does not have sickle cell disease, grows up and marries someone who does have the disease, how likely is it that her children will have the disease?