Chapter 20, Problem 19P

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is found in numerous populations whose ancestral homes are in the malaria belt of Africa and Asia. SCD is an autosomal recessive disorder that results from homozygosity for a mutant $\text{β-globin}$ gene allele. Data on one affected population indicates that approximately $8$ in $100$ newborn infants have SCD.

a. What are the frequencies of the wild $-$ type ( ${\text{β}}^{\text{A}}$) and mutant ( ${\text{β}}^{\text{S}}$) alleles in this population?

b. What is the frequency of carriers of SCD in the population?