BLOOD ISSUE - A POSSIBLE ANATHEMA IN A RELATIONSHIP OR NOT

Okyerefo and Angela are madly in love with each other. They are so intimately engaged that the word ‘separation’ is non-existent in their romantic dictionary. It is a month to their wedding. Their marriage counsellor recommended that they perform a blood test. Though none has played both ‘home and away’ match before, they still decided to heed the advice of the counsellor. The result of the test was inimical to the progress of their relationship. It wasn’t AIDS, Syphilis, or gonorrhoea but rather, their blood groups are incompatible with each other. Does this development signal the end of their relationship or would they boldly ignore this and move on?


In humans, the blood groups are four, namely A, B, AB and O. These groups are the resultants of three genes, viz A, B, and O. However, group AB are universal recipients, that is, they can receive from all other blood groups but can donate to their blood group only. Also, group O is universal donors, that is, can donate to all the other blood groups but can receive blood only from their own.

Apart from blood groups is the Rhesus factor. According to a scientific book, rhesus (Rh) factors are proteins or antigens present on the surface of red blood cells in humans or mammals. Agglutination (reaction between antibodies and antigens of red blood cells when incompatible blood groups are transfused) is likely to occur when an Rh negative person is given blood from an Rh positive person but the reverse of this is safe.

Thus, in a relationship, child-birth difficulties are likely to occur when the blood groups and Rhesus factor of the couples are incompatible with each other. What would you do if you find yourself in this situation?