Final answer:
Having sickle cell disease can be advantageous for a person living in Central Africa because it provides some level of protection against malaria.
Step-by-step explanation:
Having sickle cell disease can be advantageous for a person living in Central Africa because it provides some level of protection against malaria, which is prevalent in the region. Carriers of the sickle-cell gene, also known as heterozygotes, are thought to be immune from malaria due to changes in their blood chemistry and immune functioning. However, individuals with full-blown sickle cell anemia, with two copies of the sickle-cell gene, do not benefit from its anti-malarial effects.