donbenedict:
First tin tomoro morning I am going to the hospital to do my genotype test!

babs01:
How many tym una go discuss dis on NL

Festivalofholi:
Lol.. So there r some humans who dont know their genotype. Smh

ednut1:
d op needs to be lynched. ode buruku. do u knw how much ivf costs or was IVF created for as/as wahala. u be mumu o

Buchi001:
A few days back, I was hanging out with a friend and she brought up the story of Chidi and Ada (not real names) who just got engaged after dating for seven years but are about to break up. Their reason is simple, they just found out they’re both of AS genotype and this discovery came just one week after Chidi and his family went for formal introductions at Ada’s family home.

The pressure is on from family and friends and as at today, the love, trust, dreams and hopes; shared and cherished for the last seven years are about to be thrown away on the altar of genotype and I just can’t help but wonder if it’s really worth it.

Chidi and Ada’s story is not new; we all know someone or some people who have suffered such fate. My friend Kachi who brought up the story believes the best option for the intending couple is to go their separate ways and find new love with time, but I humbly choose to disagree.

My reason is this; advancements in medical sciences and technology have given millions of people options to have children of any genotype and sex and at any age. It is these advancements that are today making it possible for HIV positive parents to have and raise HIV negative children, the same advancements are giving women who hitherto were declared barren the opportunity to bear children of every size and those same options are available and applicable to couples with genotype issues.

Why many Nigerians faced with the AS/AS genotype challenge are not taking these options today is what worries me and all the reasons accountable for this are essentially stereotypes.

A popular stereotype is that children born through In-Vitro fertilization (IVF) popularly known as “test-tube babies” in Nigeria are not real or original children. People who still think this way should please check the story of Miss. Hannatu Kupchi, one of the first test tube babies in Nigeria born at Nisa Premier Hospital in Abuja on February 11, 1998.

This beautifully grown woman (whose pictures appear below) is now a first year medical student at a Hungarian University. Can a human being be more real/original than this?

Another stereotype is that IVF is against God’s will (their pastor or Imam said so). First and foremost, is not God that gave researchers and scientists the knowledge, insight and perseverance to develop these medical solutions? When these children born through IVF pray to God does He not answer them? When God showers his blessings on us does He deny them any? Is IVF really against God’s will or against the will of your self-righteous religious leader who also uses contraceptives developed by scientists for family planning?

These same perceptions preventing Nigerians from embracing relevant options in addressing genotype issues, promotes the mentality that still prevents many Nigerian woman from accepting caesarean operation at child birth, it’s the same mentality that drives Nigerians to prayer houses instead of hospitals when they are sick. Ironically, the pastors and prayer warriors they run to for healing, sprint to the nearest clinics for their own healing when they have just Malaria.

We have to change our perceptions about AS genotype and how much impact it should have in our marital decisions. There are new available options today for every Nigerian to handle these challenges.

Ada and Chidi and so many others like them today are considering throwing away years of love and friendship because of their God given genes when they don’t have to.

The truth is, if Chidi or Ada were hypertensive, diabetic, had cancer, or was a carrier for other inheritable genetic conditions with serious implications e.g. Down’s Syndrome, epilepsy, etc; there wouldn’t be any pressure to abandon the relationship, rather there would be compassion and understanding from both family and friends, positive suggestions and opinions would be offered and in the end, available medical (or even spiritual) solutions will be sought and accepted.

It is the same mindset that we must activate while handling AS and AS nuptial issues. In my humble opinion break-up is no longer a choice or solution for two AS genotype lovers. IVF many be expensive today but it works. Its only as expensive as that car or vacation you wish to pay for, but in all, the love shared between both of you and the possibility of having wonderful genetically-safe children will always worth more.

Moreover, genotype compatibility is not a guarantee for a happy marriage. Imagine some day in future when your son or daughter introduces the person they wish to marry and it’s a human born through In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), at that moment you'll realize what options you should have taken, or be glad that it was all worth it.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the ones you did do – Mark Twain.

Are you faced with this genotype challenge today or do you know someone who is? Do you think the relationship is worth keeping given the available options or would you rather abandon the relationship?

Please let us know, your comments and contributions are most welcome below ......
http://www.mybeautifulnigeria.com/should-genotype-decide-your-marriage/

blueseacats:
Bro! You are a gem, people like you should appear all over Nigeria fast, else we will be living in dark ages till 22nd century.

You have pinpointed exactly the reason we are still living in dark ages today. We black people run from problems , white people on the other hand confront it head on, even if it takes their life, it makes it even more fun. Nigeria has the highest cases of AS genotype in the world, yet United States which has just 100,000 cases of sickle cell invest billions every year and research day and night to find a cure, now they have found different ways to cure / prevent, and manage sickle cell, but blacks can't even tap into the solution which they have already provided for us.

I cry for black race, yea you will notice how some idiots will come for my head for not screaming in a loud voice that black is the best . Well, only a fool will keep telling himself how he's the best, when in reality he is lagging behind in all ramifications of life.

Op. Pls let them be, funny thing is that I know a guy who left his lovely soulmate because of AS issue, guess what? His new wife gave birth to their first kid who's a Down syndrome, from there he finally realized he needs to love a child whether healthy or not.

To add to your observation, did you notice that the same people who frown at medicine to solve their sickle cell issue will also go to medicine to find out what their genotype is? What a race . They keep screaming how they want to eradicate sickle, as if the condition is an animal that needs to be extinct, mutation don't become extinct, they are treated/ cured.

In western nations after sickle cell trait screening , couples will be advised on how to take care of the new born child even before birth, you hardly hear councilors telling couples in love to break up due to sickle cell, all you get is love, and encouragement . Come to Nigeria, the nurses will even be looking at you like a criminal.

Nigeria is a zoo, pls if you have not seen how things a done in other countries you have no right disputing this.

BUTCHCASSIDY:

Why cant you disagree without resorting to insults. Haba