How thalassemia is caused? Name the types of thalassemia?

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder caused due to a mutation in the gene responsible for the formation of the protein globin, that results in abnormal hemoglobin production. There are two main types of thalassemia- alpha thalassemia: that occurs due to defects in the gene responsible for the formation of the alpha globin protein chain and beta thalassemia, that occurs due to a defect in the formation of beta globin chains.