Hemoglobin S gene. Sickle cell disease is an inherited disease caused by defects, called mutations, in the beta globin gene that helps make hemoglobin. ... Red blood cells that contain normal hemoglobin are disc shaped and flexible so that they can move easily through large and small blood vessels to deliver oxygen.Sickle cell disease is a condition in which red blood cells are not shaped as they should ... the sickle-shaped red blood cells break down faster than normal cells.Sickle cell trait is an inherited blood disorder that affects 1 million to 3 million Americans and 8 ... In general, people with sickle cell trait enjoy normal life spans with no medical problems ... Sickle cell trait can never become sickle cell disease.
