| We analyzed DNA polymorphisms in the <FONT FACE="Symbol">b</font>-globin gene cluster of 30 sickle cell anemia patients from Belém, the capital city of the State of Pará, in order to investigate the origin of the <FONT FACE="Symbol">b</font>S mutation. Sixty-seven percent of the <FONT FACE="Symbol">b</font>S chromosomes were Bantu type, 30% were Benin type, and 3% were Senegal type. The origin of the <FONT FACE="Symbol">b</font>S mutation in this population, estimated on the basis of <FONT FACE="Symbol">b</font>S-linked haplotypes, contradicts the historical records of direct slave trade from Africa to the northern region of Brazil. Historical records indicate a lower percentage of people from... |
