People with sickle cell trait have one working copy of the sickle cell gene and one non-working copy. Having sickle cell trait does not cause a person to be sick. A person with sickle cell trait can pass it on to his/her children and may be at risk to have a child with sickle cell disease. About 1/12 African Americans has sickle cell trait. Talk with your doctor about testing for sickle cell trait.