"Cannot Marry"

I have always loved biology right from secondary school and I think it has to do with the fact that it teaches us about living things and the environment around us. Another subject that caught my fancy too right from time was Mathematics, playing with all that numbers and equations always tickled me in the right places (don't interpret this wrongly). You would agree with me that there is a point where two subjects meet, and one of the places Mathematics and Biology met for me was at the point of probability and hereditary; Genetics.

I have the habit of always attaching a probability value to events. It has become a hobby for me, I'd always think about the probability of whatever outcome of my actions in hopes to set a realistic expectation and prepare my mind for possible outcome(s). Genetics on the other hand is just so interesting to me.

One's genotype has been an important thing to know since the advent of technology. In fact, it has been one of the most important criteria for the compatibility of marriage. Makes me wonder if the goal of marriage is procreation, more so than it is companionship. Oh well, There are five genotypes in humans, which are AA, AS, AC, SC and SS. Although, AC and SC are very rare, and I only learnt about them two years ago.

AA is considered normal genotype, while AS and AC are abnormal, while SS is SC are practically sickle cell anemia, which is a genetic disorder which affects red blood cells which transports oxygen in the body by changing its shape (reducing its surface area) and inadvertently affecting its oxygen carrying ability. The following is the compatibility test of the common genotypes with respect to procreation:

AA x AA = Compatible

AA x AS = Compatible

AA x SS = Compatible

AS x AS = Not Compatible

AS x SS = Not Compatible

SS x SS = Not Compatible

You may have noticed that I wrote above "...with respect to procreation" because I believe people can have different reason for marrying, and not necessarily because they want to procreate. If procreation is part of the marriage plans, then it is important to know the genotype of your intended.

An erroneous impression I want to debunk is people's opinion about the compatibility of AS and AS. A lot of people think that why they are not compatible is because 1/4 of their offspring will have the sickle cell anemia. It is all probability really. It just means that when two AS want to procreate, the probability of an offspring being SS is 0.25 (1/4).

I have my personal reservation about the compatibility of AS and AS. Well, is if the two parties involved are willing to gamble their peace of mind and take such risks for the sake of the 'love' right? I mean, what is worth risking it for if not LOVE (evil smirk). But on a serious note, the odds are in their favour, I mean, a 0.75 (3/4) probability of the offspring not being SS as against the probability of 0.25.

Also, the advancement of science has made it possible to know the genotype of the baby during pregnancy. But why go through all that stress? More importantly, what happens when the genotype of the baby is SS? Abortion? Surely, that will take its toll on both parents.

In conclusion, I'd say you do whatever makes you happy, and if that includes marrying someone you're incompatible with, it is up to you two to figure out and come to a conclusion on what is best for you all. Haven't been active for some days now, and that is because there are some problems that came up, making it difficult for me to be active here.