How does balancing selection affect the sickle cell allele in central Africa?

Answer 1

The sickle cell allele can be maintained in the central African population, above the frequency of gene mutation (balancing selection), because the heterozygous sickle cell individuals have an advantage in lifespan, in this malaria stricken region, over the homozygous alternatives. Homozygous sickle-sickle individuals die early from the sickle cell disease. Homozygous nonsickle-nonsickle die early from malaria. The heterozygous sickle-nonsickle have a higher survival against malaria and therefore the sickle cell allele is balanced selected.