FAMILIAL DIFFERENCES IN THE PROPORTION OF ABNORMAL HEMOGLOBIN PRESENT IN THE SICKLE CELL TRAIT 1

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Abstract
Seven Negro families in which the sickle cell trait is present have been investigated by the techniques of electro-phoresis with reference to the question of whether there are significant differences between families as regards the proportion of abnormal hemoglobin associated with the trait. These seven families include a total of 74 individuals, of whom 32 are known to have the sickle cell trait and were studied. The proportion of abnormal hemoglobin observed in individuals with the sickle cell trait varied from 22.3% to 45.2%. An analysis of this variation into two portions, that between members of the same family, and that between family means, revealed a highly significant difference between family means. This difference between family means is thought to be genetic rather than environmental in origin. However, the nature of the responsible genetic system is not at present clear.