The scientist who first connected sickle-cell anemia with an increased survival rate from malaria was Anthony C. Allison, PhD. In 1954, Allison confirmed the hypothesis that individuals heterozygous for the sickle cell mutation have relative resistance to malaria. His research showed that people carrying the sickle cell trait were better able to survive malaria, providing the first clear example of natural selection in humans related to this genetic trait
. Earlier, in 1949, British scientist John Burdon Sanderson Haldane had proposed a connection between red cell disorders (including sickle cell anemia) and malaria, hypothesizing that these genetic mutations persisted in populations because they offered some protection against malaria. However, it was Allison who confirmed this specifically for sickle cell anemia through his work in Kenya
. Thus, the key figure credited with connecting sickle-cell anemia to increased malaria survival is Anthony C. Allison.
