haemoglobinopathies

The haemoglobinopathies are a heterogeneous group of
inherited disorders characterised by the absent, reduced or
altered expression of one or more of the globin chains of
haemoglobin. The globin gene clusters on chromosome 16
include two -globin genes and on chromosome 11 a -globin
gene. The haemoglobinopathies represent the commonest
single-gene disorders in the world population and have had
profound effects on the provision of health care in some
developing countries.