It can be a bit confusing because, yes there are 4 genes possibly involved and only one is a thal gene, but since each parent has only two genes and one of the parents has a thal gene, 50% of the time, that parent will give a thal gene, creating a 50% chance of a minor. It is easy to demonstrate using 4 coins. In my example I use 3 pennies to represent the normal genes and a dime to represent the thal gene. One parent has a penny and a dime to give. You will notice when you make the combinations with the other parent's pennies (genes) that half the possible combinations have a dime(thal gene) in them. The thal carrier parent will give a thal gene 50% of the time according to the odds (which of course are only odds and reality can be very different).