GSTM1 and thalassemia: We carried out an epidemiological study of the molecular basis of α-thalassemia in Southern Italy and identified with high relative frequencies two unstable variants: The Hb Bernalda (HBA1:c.358C>T), α1 cod 119 CCT→TCT or [α119(H2)Pro>Ser] “also named Hb Groene Hart” (throughout the paper named Hb Bernalda/Groene Hart), and the Hb Southern Italy showing the Hb Caserta (HBA2:c.79G>A), α2 cod26 GCG>ACG or [α26(B7)Ala>Thr], in cis to the Hb Sun Prairie (HBA2:c.391G>C), α2 cod 130 GCT>CCT or [α130(H13)Ala>Pro] [12,13,14].