Abnormal Hemoglobins in Human Populations

Research on abnormal human hemoglobins (protein inblood that carries oxygen), has taught us about the inheritance,biochemistry, and distribution of these traits. Thisknowledge, coupled with mathematical research usingcomputer models of population genetics, has enabledresearchers to marry biological fact and genetic theory.This volume places medical understanding in an evolutionaryframework. Using published data on the frequenciesof abnormal hemoglobins in the world’s populations,Livingston analyzes and interprets these frequencies in thelight of world distribution of different forms of diseasessuch as malaria. He further develops the genetic theoryof the evolutionary homeostasis.Livingston discusses the relation of abnormal hemoglobinsto endemic malaria and, shows how natural selectionpressures explain the known distribution of thesetraits. Where non-coinciding distributions arise, the bookpresents other genetic, anthropological, evolutionary, andepidemiological evidence to explain these discrepancies.This classic work remains a useful sourcebook for professorsand graduate students of anthropology, genetics,epidemiology, and hematology.