The recessive allele for sickle cell anemia is more prevalent in regions of Africa where malaria is prevalent, than it is in regions where there is no malaria. This is due to a

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Heterozygous advantage refers to the phenomenon where carriers of a recessive allele have a survival advantage in specific environments. In the case of sickle cell anemia, individuals who are heterozygous for the sickle cell allele (carrying one copy of the sickle cell allele and one copy of the normal allele) have increased resistance to malaria. This advantage allows the sickle cell allele to persist in populations despite the negative effects of homozygosity for the allele (i.e. actual development of sickle cell anemia). Therefore, the prevalence of the sickle cell allele in regions where malaria is prevalent is due to heterozygous advantage.

The Recessive Allele for Sickle Cell Anemia Is More Prevalent