GENOTYPE OR LOVE …WHICH COMES FIRST?

We fell in love when were younger. We were two love birds just like Romeo and Juliet. Couldn’t spend a day without each other .Whao! Love is a beautiful thing. The feeling can’t be described. He’s a good man; he is a very handsome, tall and disciplined guy. He is many things most girls would want their man to be. We are matured enough to get married since that has always been our dream.  The GENOTYPE issue came up. “For two young people working towards marriage, it is crucial for them to know their genotype BEFORE the happy event. It is very important for them to understand what they are getting into. We went for complete blood test , every other things were ok except for the GENOTYPE which is ''AS'' for both of us.  

 

 We called off our marriage plans after we discovered we are both carriers of unusual haemoglobin. We knew, we could not face the challenges of having a child with sickle cell disorder. That was the darkest moment of my life. We broke our sweet loving relationship .I have heard people say if they love the person enough and genuinely, either they are both AS or one AS and the other SS, they would still get married to the person: trying to draw the line between LOVE and the menace of having a child with sickle cell. Life is full of choices. Who you are today is as a result of the choices you made yesterday. Your tomorrow depends on the choice you shall make today.

It is advisable for couples who intend to get married to know their genotype and seek counsel from a genetic counsellor so that whatever decision they make would be an informed one. It is better to know your genotype beforehand so that you'd be prepared for whatever comes your way than not know your genotype and get what you are not prepared for. . Just as when you are dating, it is important to ask certain question about sexual history, it would be wise to include questions that reveal the history of any family illnesses as well. If it is shared that you both want children in the future, these are answers you need to know. Those with Sickle Cell Anemia and even those with the trait need to take this a step further. Knowing their own haemoglobin type is not enough; they must know that of their partner. The genetic makeup of both parents will determine the health of their child for years to come; not to mention the family they are born into. 

Many of us do not consider the ramifications of the now, on the future. Preventive measures are ideal when it comes to any genetic abnormality that would be a detriment to any and all offspring within a relationship. Even in this day and time, many fail to learn about their own genetic makeup. But I stress that you do so, especially before bringing a child in the world .The genetic proof is that if AA marries AA, they should feel free. If AA marries AS, there is no problem also as they would be having AA and AS at worse [which is even OK]. AS and AS are advised not to marry each other while SS are advised not to marry at all!