This activity has been archived while we produce a more up-to-date version of this activity and the accompanying film. We are hoping the new activity and film will be available by the end of 2021.

This activity supports the short film Natural Selection in Humans about the connection between sickle cell disease and malaria. It allows students to further explore how scientists make their discoveries by building on research by other scientists.

Students read a passage about the decades of research on sickle cell disease (also known as sickle cell anemia), which was conducted prior to Anthony Allison’s work. Through a series of questions, students explore how Allison’s discovery was made possible by the work of others and how he was able to make the link between sickle cell disease and malaria.

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