In China, CD 17 (A>T) (HBB:c.52A>T), CD 41-42 (-TCTT) (HBB:c.126_129delCTTT), -28 (A>G) (HBB:c.-78A>C), IVS-II-654 (C>T) (HBB:c.316-197C>T), HbE (CD 26, G>A) (HBB:c.79G>A) and CD 71/72 (+A) (HBB:c.216_217insA) mutations account for more than 90% of all β-thalassaemia mutations in the Chinese population.2 Characterisation and screening of these mutations provides a database to aid in the prevention and control of thalassaemia. This evidence concerns the gene HBE1 and thalassemia.