Mexicans May Be Genetically Susceptible To H1N1.
Printed in USA Today, 5/12/09:
Are Mexicans genetically susceptible to H1N1 virus?
By Rita Rubin, USA TODAY
Although the findings are preliminary, a study released Monday raises the possibility that the H1N1 flu has been deadlier in Mexicans than in others because they are genetically more susceptible to the infection.
The research, from Mexico's National Institute of Genomic Medicine, found genetic variations in Mexican Mestizos -- people of mixed European and Amerindian ancestry who represent more than 80% of that country's population -- that could affect their risk of diseases and their response to treatments.
The Human Genome Project, a global effort that identified all the genes in human chromosomes, found that any two individuals' genomes are 99% identical. Compared with the world's three main "ancestral" populations -- Caucasian, African and Asian -- the Mestizos had significant genetic differences, researchers report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"Beyond the current topic of influenza, we're experiencing huge increases in very complex diseases like diabetes," Julio Frenk, Mexico's health minister when the genomic medicine institute was created five years ago, said at a news conference.
Diabetes is now the leading cause of death in Mexico, said Frenk, now dean of the Harvard School of Public Health. Genetic variations might explain why, and could lead to better preventive strategies, he said.
The study involved anonymous blood samples from 330 unrelated Mexicans who described themselves as Mestizos and lived in seven Mexican states, three of which are the main source of immigrants to the USA, said lead author Gerardo Jimenez-Sanchez, genomic medicine institute head.
"We really wanted to capture the genetic information of that population," he said, referring to the growing number of Latinos in the USA, now totaling about 45 million. The information should be useful for most of the Latin American Mestizo population, too, he said.
Are Mexicans genetically susceptible to H1N1 virus? - USATODAY.com
Are Mexicans genetically susceptible to H1N1 virus?
By Rita Rubin, USA TODAY
Although the findings are preliminary, a study released Monday raises the possibility that the H1N1 flu has been deadlier in Mexicans than in others because they are genetically more susceptible to the infection.
The research, from Mexico's National Institute of Genomic Medicine, found genetic variations in Mexican Mestizos -- people of mixed European and Amerindian ancestry who represent more than 80% of that country's population -- that could affect their risk of diseases and their response to treatments.
The Human Genome Project, a global effort that identified all the genes in human chromosomes, found that any two individuals' genomes are 99% identical. Compared with the world's three main "ancestral" populations -- Caucasian, African and Asian -- the Mestizos had significant genetic differences, researchers report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"Beyond the current topic of influenza, we're experiencing huge increases in very complex diseases like diabetes," Julio Frenk, Mexico's health minister when the genomic medicine institute was created five years ago, said at a news conference.
Diabetes is now the leading cause of death in Mexico, said Frenk, now dean of the Harvard School of Public Health. Genetic variations might explain why, and could lead to better preventive strategies, he said.
The study involved anonymous blood samples from 330 unrelated Mexicans who described themselves as Mestizos and lived in seven Mexican states, three of which are the main source of immigrants to the USA, said lead author Gerardo Jimenez-Sanchez, genomic medicine institute head.
"We really wanted to capture the genetic information of that population," he said, referring to the growing number of Latinos in the USA, now totaling about 45 million. The information should be useful for most of the Latin American Mestizo population, too, he said.
Are Mexicans genetically susceptible to H1N1 virus? - USATODAY.com
Sal
When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
Beyond the Path
Sal
When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
Beyond the Path