Reply to Husband has Sickle Cell gene and didn't tell me

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Is he Black? It is common knowledge that [b]Black people must be screened for sickle cell [/b]due to it being more common in that demographic. Other racial/ethnic groups have other conditions that must be screened for. When I was pregnant, I had to fill out a form at the OBGYN that asked about both of our ethnic backgrounds so that they would know what they needed to test for.[/quote]
WTF. Most Black people are not screened for sickle cell.[/quote]
"[b]As part of its Sickle Cell Initiative, the American Red Cross currently tests all donations for the sickle cell trait from self-identified African Americans. Last month, the screening was expanded to include those who identify as multiracial.[/b] The screening involves a simple blood test.

It is estimated that about 1 in 13 Black or African American babies in the United States is born with the sickle cell trait, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, many individuals are unaware if they carry the trait as testing at birth was not widely provided until 2006."

https://www.redcross.org/local/michigan/about-us/news-and-events/press-releases/raising-awareness-about-sickle-cell-disease--testing-and-need-fo.html?srsltid=AfmBOorvybEZJD1K__ScNeQ09e7CqJg8oS6BKDsf2WU_hqsWeXan3r6L

"If an individual does not want their donation to be screened for sickle cell trait, they should select the “I prefer not to answer or other” response regarding their race and ethnicity. [b]Only donations from self-identified multiracial and Black or African American donors will be screened for sickle cell trait.[/b]"

https://www.redcrossblood.org/faq.html
[/quote]
BS policies like this are why I [i]always[/i] check the Pacific Islander box as a fully Black woman. As soon as they see that Black/African box checked, they start treating you differently than they would an individual of another race. Apparently you can't even donate blood in peace as a Black person. [b]How is the Red Cross[/b] [b][i][u]only[/u][/i][/b] [b]screening the blood of Black (and part Black) donors for a genetic blood disorder (sickle cell) not considered discrimination???[/b][/quote]
Truthfully, it would be a waste of time and resources for them to screen every single donor. Only people with at least one (relatively recent) African/Black ancestor are at risk for sickle cell trait and disorder. Scientists have determined sickle cell arose in Africa 7,300 years ago in response to Malaria. To put that timeline into perspective, the current Out of Africa theory (if you believe it) states that the ancestors of non-African populations left Africa between 60,000 and 194,000 years ago (which would be before sickle cell came into existence in Africa). There are different estimates depending on which source you rely on.

I will say the only risk with not screening every donor is that there are people that have hidden African ancestry and could be at risk for sickle cell without knowing it.
https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/hidden-black-ancestry-linked-to-rise-in-sickle-cell-blood-disorder-738008.html
https://www.science.org/content/article/genetic-study-reveals-surprising-ancestry-many-americans[/quote]

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