If we look at Rh factor genes in the United States the domin

If we look at Rh factor genes in the United States, the dominant Rh⁺ allele makes up about 60% of the gene pool and the recessive allele makes up 40%. If the US population were in Hardy-Weinburg equilibrium, what proportion of people in the country would you expect to have Rh positive blood? (Your answer should be between 0.00 and 1.00)

Solution

The Rh+ is found in 60% of gene pool. Let’s us call it as allele P.

P = 0.6

The Rh- makes up to 40% of gene pool, let’s call it as allele q

q = 0.4

If they were to be in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium,

P2 + q2 +2pq = 1

= (0.6)2 + (0.4)2 +2(0.6)(0.4)

= 0.36 + 0.16 + 0.48

Now, the genotype with p2 and 2pq combination has one dominant allele p. SO they all become Rh+ ve.

Hence of all the people, portion of population to have Rh positive blood is 0.36 + 0.48 = 0.84