UNIT 6: DNA DECIDES DATING

1. In Nigeria, your genetic makeup can decide if you get a second date
First date questions in many parts of the world usually revolve around hobbies
or favorite TV shows. But in Nigeria, the first date conversation is more likely
to be about your DNA than if you watch 'Grey's Anatomy' or where you like to
vacation.
2. Communications specialist Damilola Ogunnupebi recently got married in
Ogun State, southwest of Nigeria but her dating journey was the search
for a partner with the right genotype. "Before I met my current partner, I
was always on the lookout for someone whose genotype was compatible
with mine (my genotype). All my dates had the 'what is your genotype?'
question," Ogunnupebi told CNN.

3. A genotype is the set of genes in a person's DNA responsible for a

particular trait, and genotypes are considered important in Nigerian
relationships because they determine who sickle cell disease carriers are.
SCD is the world's most common hereditary blood disorder, and many
people who are interested in having children, like Ogunnupebi,
emphasize genotype testing to avoid giving birth to children with the
disease. Sickle cell comes with excruciatingly painful complications
known as a 'sickle cell crisis' where sudden episodes of severe pain afflict
the patient's body.
4. Sickle cell disease, which is also called SS genotype, is an inherited form
of anemia -- a condition in which there aren't enough healthy red blood
cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout the body, says Dr. Zainab
Jimoh-Johnson. For a child to be born with the condition, both parents
must carry a sickle-cell gene, (known medically as AS genotype), which
is passed from one generation to the next. If someone with a trait marries
another person with it, there's a higher chance that their child will be born
 with the disease. Jimoh-Johnson says carriers of the trait are advised to
marry non-carriers who have the AA genotype.
5. 'I don't want to be a young widow'
Samira Sanusi is the founder of the Samira Sanusi Sickle Cell Foundation,
which counsels young Nigerians to pay attention to their genotypes and also that
of their potential partners. "Generally, people who know their genotype from an
early age or before getting into a serious relationship are able to make informed
decisions before feelings or relationships are formed," Sanusi told CNN.
Authorities in Nigeria have also stepped in to prevent couples from getting
married if they carry sickle cell traits.
In May, the Anambra state parliament in Nigeria's eastern region passed a bill
making genotype testing compulsory before marriage. The bill states that no
religious body or registry should join couples together without presenting a
particular certificate.

Quỹ Hồng cầu hình liềm Samira Sanusi được sáng lập bởi Samira Sanusi,
đây là nơi cho tư vấn những người Nigeria trẻ tuổi để họ dành sự chú ý đến kiểu
gen của bản thân và bạn đời tương lai. "Nói chung, những người biết kiểu gen
của họ từ khi tuổi đời còn trẻ hoặc trước khi bước vào một mối quan hệ nghiêm
túc có thể đưa ra quyết định đúng đắn hơn trước khi hình thành cảm xúc hoặc
mối quan hệ", Sanusi nói với đài CNN. Các nhà chức trách ở Nigeria cũng đã
can thiệp để ngăn chặn các cặp đôi kết hôn nếu họ mang đặc điểm của hồng cầu
hình liềm.
Vào tháng 5, nghị viện bang Anambra ở phía đông Nigeria đã thông qua một
đạo luật bắt buộc thử nghiệm kiểu gen trước khi kết hôn. Dự luật ghi rõ rằng
không cơ quan hay tổ chức tôn giáo nào nên tác hợp các cặp đôi với nhau nếu
họ không xuất trình giấy chứng nhận kiểu gen