Final answer:
True, thalassemia carriers have some protection against malaria, owing to a genetic adaptation that occurred in regions where malaria is highly prevalent.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, thalassemia is an inherited mutation that provides carriers with some protection against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Thalassemia is a type of inherited anemia caused by abnormal hemoglobin formation. This condition is understood to be a genetic adaptation to malaria in regions such as the Mediterranean, parts of Africa, and South and Southeast Asia. While individuals with thalassemia may suffer from anemia due to the abnormal maturation of red blood cells (RBCs), carriers often exhibit a degree of resistance to malaria. This is similar to the protective effect observed in carriers of the sickle-cell trait, although the specific genetic mechanisms differ between thalassemia and sickle-cell anemia.