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Testing Unrestricted

Testing will not be
restricted to blacks, Mr.
Saunders said, although the
frequency of sickle cell anemia
is much higher among blacks
than in other races.

"In Africa, sickle cell in the
blood provides a genetic
adaptation to fight malaria,"
Mr. Saunders said.

"In the United States,
however, the prevalence of
malaria is far lower, so the
sickle cell attacks the
hemoglobin, reducing the
amount of oxygen going to the
cells."