What genotype combinations would represent Jamal's child potentially inheriting sickle cell disease?

To understand why the combination of AS and AS represents the potential for a child inheriting sickle cell disease, it's essential to examine the genetics behind this condition. Sickle cell disease is caused by mutations in the hemoglobin gene, leading to abnormal hemoglobin known as hemoglobin S. The possible genotypes related to sickle cell condition are as follows:

• AA represents normal hemoglobin.

• AS represents a carrier of the sickle cell trait, where one normal allele and one sickle allele are present.

• SS represents a person with sickle cell disease, having two copies of the sickle allele.

When two individuals with genotype AS mate, there are several potential combinations for their offspring:

1. AA – the child inherits the normal allele from both parents.

2. AS – the child inherits the normal allele from one parent and the sickle allele from the other, becoming a carrier.

3. SS – the child inherits the sickle allele from both parents, leading to sickle cell disease.

Given that both parents in this scenario are AS, there is a 25% chance that they will have a child with the SS genotype, which means the child would inherit sickle cell disease. Thus, this combination of AS and AS is the