Which population has a carrier frequency of approximately 1 in 20 for Beta Thalassemia?

The population with a carrier frequency of approximately 1 in 20 for Beta Thalassemia is the Mediterranean population. This condition is particularly prevalent in regions surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, including parts of Italy, Greece, and Turkey. The higher carrier frequency in this population is attributed to the historical prevalence of malaria in those regions, where being a carrier of Beta Thalassemia provides a selective advantage against malaria. Therefore, individuals who carry one copy of the mutated gene have better survival rates in malaria-endemic areas, leading to a higher frequency of carriers within the population.

This genetic trait is less commonly found in other populations, such as African Americans, Asians, and Caucasians, where the carrier frequencies for Beta Thalassemia generally do not approach the 1 in 20 ratio seen in the Mediterranean population. Thus, understanding the geographic and historical context of genetic conditions helps in identifying specific populations with higher carrier frequencies for certain genetic disorders.