GSTM1 and alpha thalassemia spectrum: The two main disorders observed in sub-Saharan Africa are HbS and α+thalassemia; these are thought to be common due to genetic selection because of the protection these conditions provide against falciparum malaria morbidity and mortality [9,10], although this protection appears to be lost in the case of co-inheritance of Hb S trait and an α-globin deletion [11].