Sickle cell disease (SCD)

  • IASbaba
  • February 7, 2023
  • 0
Science and Technology
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Context: Finance Minister recently announced government’s plan to launch a mission to eliminate sickle cell anaemia by 2047.

  • It is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders.
  • In someone who has SCD, the hemoglobin is abnormal, which causes the red blood cells to become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle.”
  • The sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells.
  • Also, when they travel through small blood vessels, they get stuck and clog the blood flow.
  • This can cause pain and other serious complications (health problems) such as infection, acute chest syndrome and stroke.
  • SCD is a genetic condition that is present at birth.
  • It is inherited when a child receives two genes—one from each parent—that code for abnormal hemoglobin.
  • A blood test can determine whether you have SCD or sickle cell trait.
  • SCD can also be diagnosed before a baby is born.
  • SCD can only be cured by bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.

Source: Indian Express

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) Consider the following statements in respect of probiotics :

  1. Probiotics are made of both bacteria and yeast.
  2. The organisms in probiotics are found in foods we ingest but they do not naturally occur in our gut.
  3. Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (2022)

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 1 and 3
  4. 2 and 3

Q.2) In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements:

  1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform.
  2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector-based platform.
  3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen-based vaccine.

Which of the statements given above are correct? (2022)

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

 

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