Starting with the first diagnosis, we trace the history of sickle cell disease. We also visit the world of statistics to discover how many children are born with the illness.

Transcript -- Sickle cell disease: a lethal advantage

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that occurs in 1 in every 375 African Americans. There is currently no cure for this life-shortening disease. These five video tracks will help you to understand exactly what sickle cell disease is and answer many of the questions surrounding it. They'll also explain its hereditary nature in people of African descent. This material forms part of The Open University course SK195 Human genetics and health issues.