WHEN LOVE MEETS SCIENCE

In our forefathers’ time, many people were unfamiliar with the concepts of genotype, phenotype and related topics. Back then, I am sure our forefathers developed other theories for the consequences of some medical incompatibilities.

For instance, some might say a sickle cell child is a curse to the family, which is why he is always falling sick. Others might term it as something transmitted from both parents without fully understanding the concept of medical compatibility. But hey, who knows, I am just assuming

However, today we are familiar with the concept of “medical compatibility”, such as genotypes and Rhesus factor. Mostly, the Hb genotypes are one of the biggest considerations for any medical compatibility since other issues can often be addressed. Although, we understand it better now, it has now served as a barrier to many relationships.

Many people who have built a true and loving relationship get separated because of this issue, well, others don’t. It is always so painful to let go of someone you love because of incompatibility. I have seen many cases like this and to be honest, it hurts.

I support getting to know if you are medically compatible with someone before getting too attached, because once a relationship is built, it is quite hard to break it. However, many people don’t put this in mind, when they are getting together.

---

I read a tweet from someone— I can’t remember the full gist/—but she tweeted something like “when next I meet someone, on our first date we need to talk our genotypes, because I can let any genotype break a relationship I work hard to build.” It seems funny, but it is important.

Many people don’t think of it until it is almost time for marriage. Maybe people are too blinded by love in the early stage of relationships that they don’t pay attention to it. In a nutshell, it is advisable to know if one is medically compatible with thier partner at an early stage.

But for those who have failed to do this and have built a strong relationship before realizing their incompatibility. I know it is hard, but it is just better to break the relationship because in the long run, it does not pay. If not for yourselves, then for the children or child.

Back then, in my junior secondary school, I had two friends that happened to be sickle cell (SS), one of them doesn’t come to school every Wednesday and Friday because she always rested or went to the hospital. I really don’t know how she is doing how, but she didn’t continue Senior secondary school with us. probably went to another school closer to her

The other one, didn’t have specific days of being absent, but she did fall sick often . I didn’t really keep contact with her, but she didn’t also resume senior secondary school with us, later on, I think after I graduated, I heard that she didn’t make it (she died).

It is always painful to see these children suffer because of their parents’ decisions. They don’t live a normal lives; they are often close to the hospital. Their academic life is greatly affected, as well as their social and mental lives . It is even harder for them to find a partner.

Apart from the child being stressed, the parents also suffer the consequences—watching their kid often fall sick, paying a lot of bills for treatment, mental drained and stressed, holding on to a ray of hope that they don’t lose their child, which in some cases they do.

What then is the gain? Neither the child nor the parent benefits from this. So, yeah, I support going separate ways. It is hard, can’t deny! But it is also a form of love to go separate ways.

Although in rare cases, I have seen instances where a person with an AS genotype marries another with an AS genotype, and they didn’t have any SS children, probably because they didn’t conceive much. But this also increases the ‘S’ trait. which we want to avoid.

This is just a plus in my opinion The only thing that can counter breaking up is when God give you the go-ahead. I am a big believer, so if one is certain that God has chosen this person for them—not just your instinct! —then the usual concerns about compatibility should not stand in the way.

In conclusion, it is important to know if one is medically compatible with their partner at the beginning of the relationship. If the relationship has gotten deep before acknowledging incompatibility, it is best to go separate ways.