Thalassemia is a group of genetic blood disorders that result in the body producing an abnormal amount of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This leads to a shortage of healthy red blood cells and can cause anemia, fatigue, weakness, and other complications. Thalassemia can be mild or severe, depending on the specific type and severity of the genetic mutation. Research in the field of thalassemia focuses on understanding the genetic causes of the disorder, developing treatments to manage symptoms and improve quality of life, and potentially finding a cure through gene therapy or other novel approaches.