Next, Sanger sequencing for HBA1/2 and HBB genes and specially designed GAP-PCR for six rare deletions including --THAI, -α21.9, -α27.6, Taiwanese, Chinese Gγ(Aγδβ)0, and SEA-HPFH were carried out for the 66 subjects, and 17 subjects were identified with thalassemia variants. Here, HBB is linked to thalassemia.