Genetical Compatibility Before Marriage.

 Hi ladies and gentlemen........often I wonder why it's called ladies and gentlemen and not the other way round. Well a friend of mine in her own opinion says,  guys are naturally meant to be gentle, and the ladies are much of an out spoken being. Well let's hope she's right.

So without boring you with so much talk, let's get to the main agenda for today, which is Genetical Compatibility before marriage. As much as other criterias need our much attention and explanation with the help of the Holy Spirit, still it won't be nice not to drift a little to the biological aspect of relationships leading to marriage.

As many of us that play games, we know very well what it means to drift especially in a racing game.

So what is Genetical Compatibility?

        Scientists have brought immense advancement to each generation after generation. Believe me the rate of scientific progress in this past centuries haven't been so in the ancient times. Gone are those days when a couple can't give birth, our ancestors will attribute it to the fact that, they might have annoyed the gods of the land, or a situation a child or children as the case maybe of a couple dies, they will say they have made the gods angry. 

These were just assumptions, though some might be right. But all we are saying is, knowledge has been made available to us through the hard work of scientist and their new discoveries every day, and it will be nice to also put their own findings into consideration. Because if God Almighty didn't want us knowing these things, He wouldn't have given them the capacity and ability to bring this fact to our (public) awareness.

I'm not saying God cannot do certain things beyond human expectations, He sure can. But the fact still remains, since he made these discoveries known to us means it's for our good, like we earlier stated before.

So back to the question;

For those that study biology, or biology related courses in High School (called a University in some African countries), and college (called a secondary school in  some African countries) you will agree with me, that there will be an idea in mind of what we are about explaining here.

Genetical Compatibility:

Compatibility: ability to exist (in harmony) together (as couples), genetically (by gene, hereditary, blood, inherent abilities and traits).

It is quite important for partners about to wed, to see a doctor (who is a specialist in that field), to know their biological stand, after seeking God's consent. 

Have you ever wondered why, there are certain couples who for years could not bear a child? But the moment they split and divorce, they end up bearing children both parties (the man and the woman)?.

It is what genetics can do. You need to know if the person you're bringing into your space (life) is compatible with you genetically (in this case).

Take for example, an AS man cannot marry another AS genotype (woman). Or the other way round.

The Gregory Mendel's second law of Independent Assortment will be achieved and the chances of giving birth to an SS (sickle cell) will be very high.

Though in most African countries like Nigeria, most times we think the last child (probably the fourth) child will carry the SS gene. So they go ahead with the marriage, with this mindset that once they have given birth to three children they won't give birth further. So the fourth child is meant to carry the SS gene.

But Gregory Mendel's second law makes it clear, that any child can carry the SS gene. That's what Independent assortment means. 

What is a SS gene?

It is a sickle cell anemia. What this means is, the blood is sickle in shape instead of having the normal biconcave shape of the human red blood cell, which is flexible and disc-shaped. It becomes sickle as in ), making it look like a crescent or an old farm tool called a sickle (that's where the disease gets its name). For easy clarity, here is the shape below.......

This shape reduces the flow rate of blood cells.

Note: Sickle cell anemia can't be cured. It has no cure, that is why it is a genetic disorder (disease).

Another area to look out for is the Rhesus Factor. Rh  is the acronym of Rhesus factor. It's a compound which may or not be present in your red blood cells. People with Rh compound are termed  positive and people without the Rh compound are known as Rh negative.

• An Rh negative mother with Rh positive father can be problematic.
• Babies born via what is above can lead to isoimmunistaion: this process opens up the possibilities of baby's blood entering the mother's body while the child (he/she) is in the womb.

Bad situation arises when the mother is Rh negative and the father is Rh positive. In this case, it leads to excessive bleeding of the baby and other complications.

An Rh positive baby from an Rh negative mother and Rh positve father must be avoided. But there is a treatment though, "An anti-D injections" is given in this case. The injection help in preventing sensitisation, an immune response to an Rh negative mother exposed to Rh positve blood.

Here is a link below to understand better......

https://youtu.be/e2KK86bekNw

But why go through all these stress, when this can be avoided. 

If both parents are negative or positive, then it is not problematic. But only the mother being negative and not the father can be a serious situation, says Dr. Gita Prakash.

Also check for your blood group too. It is very important.

Know your HIV/AiDS status, know your STDs status. It also very important.

Also go for Thalassemia test. This is a test to check the condition of your haemoglobin and red blood cells. Getting a test done for thalassemia can prevent chances of babies born with any defects at birth.

Thalassemia is a condition of low haemoglobin and small-sized red blood cells (RBCs) which are decreasing in number. Thalassemia minor patients are those with low Hb (haemoglobin) and small-sized RBCs which are increasing in number.

A thalassemia major child is one that has two parents that are thalassemia minor patients. Doctors say that this thalassemia major child has to depend on blood transfusions every month to survive. And regular supply of blood for blood transfusion can be very expensive. 

Now you don't want your child to end up like this. Please this is why it is important you get a thalassemia test.

All we explained here are just summary. Please meet a certified Professional Doctor to make all these things clearer for you. We are just giving a guideline on the things to look out for, before saying I do to that young man.

Please be guided.