Researchers are better connecting the science of population genetics to population health and complex diseases. Scientists are observing an increase in recessive disorders and complex genetic diseases in Indian populations.
A recessive disorder occurs when two copies of an abnormal gene are present in a person’s genetic makeup, causing a disease or trait to develop. A person may carry one copy of the abnormal gene without showing signs of a disease (known as carrier), and this abnormal gene can be passed to the next generation. Populations that marry genetically related individuals within their community have a higher chance of having children with a recessive disorder (carrying two abnormal genes).
Dr. K. Thangaraj, Senior Principal Scientist at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India spoke about his research on the genetics of Indian people at the annual Emtech India conference jointly sponsored by Technological Review India and MIT’s Industrial Liaison Program, and organized by CyberMedia in Bengalore. Dr. Thangaraj observed that most Indians...
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