Endogamy: A Major Cause For Health Disparity In India

The practice of endogamy is found to be the primary cause for population-specific diseases in India as per a recent study led by the scientist of CSIR- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB).

Key Highlights of the Study

Published In: The findings have been recently published in the Journal of Genetics and Genomics
Method: The ‘1000 Genome’ Dataset was used to collect 281 high-coverage whole exome sequences from four anthropologically distinct populations characterised by high inflammatory bowel disease scores
- Communities: Kalinga and Reddy of Andhra Pradesh, Yadav of Puducherry and Kallar of Tamil Nadu.
Parameters: Key factors examined for the study are, the extent of inbreeding and novel genetic variants in populations and the pharmacogenomic markers that influence drug metabolism to understand why different drugs seem to work differently in different populations.
Findings:
- Impact of Endogamy: The study forecasted the impact of endogamy in causing population-specific genetic diseases and drug responses.
- Inbreeding: The genes of South Indian populations suggest a high inbreeding rate of nearly 60 percent.
- Widespread Prevalence of ‘Ankylosing Spondylitis’: It is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine has been identified to be linked to the ‘HLA-B27:04 risk allele’, a genetic variant that increases the likelihood of developing a disease.
  - High incidence of ankylosing spondylitis disease has been found in the Reddy community of Andhra Pradesh
- A significant number of disease-causing genetic variants, many of which are unique to specific populations are found.
- Genetic Variants For Drug Metabolism: The study also uncovered novel genetic variants associated with drug metabolism, with implications for personalized medicine, especially in response to some of the common drugs, such as ‘Tacrolimus’ (an immunosuppressive drug) and ‘Warfarin’ (an anticoagulant drug).
- Targeted Drug Therapy: An opportunity for developing targeted drugs has been observed as genetic variations in the genes that alter the drug response has been found to differ across populations.
  - Earlier studies have also shown many population-specific hereditary diseases most often associated with novel genetic mutations.
Significance:
- This research emphasizes the need for appropriate genetic screening, counselling and clinical care for the communities that are vulnerable to various health conditions.
- It shows the importance of the development of more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies

Inbreeding depression and Endogamy: Correlation

Inbreeding Depression: The phenomenon of inbreeding or endogamy, increases the level of homozygotes for autosomal recessive genetic disorders and generally leads to decreased fitness of a population for survival known as inbreeding depression.
- Inbreeding depression can lead to reduced growth, increased mortality, decreased fertility, and increased susceptibility to diseases.
Cause and Consequence Relationship: Inbreeding depression is a consequence of endogamy.
- Inbreeding means to mate between closely related individuals and Endogamy is the practice of mating within a specific social group or population, which can lead to higher rates of inbreeding.
- Genetic Diversity: Inbreeding reduces genetic diversity within a population, making it more vulnerable to environmental changes and diseases.

About Endogamy

Endogamy is the practice of marrying within a specific group, such as a family, clan, or cultural group. It can also be called in-marriage.
- Endogamy can be enforced by traditional customary laws of communities or legal law of the land etc.
Types:
- Caste Endogamy: It is characterised by marrying within one’s caste or social class.
  - Example: It is commonly practised in India and Nepal.
- Ethnic Endogamy: It is the practice of marrying within one’s own ethnic or cultural group.
  - Example: The Polynesians, Armenians, and Cypriots practice endogamy.
- Religious Endogamy: This is the practice of marrying within one’s religious group.
  - Example: It is commonly practised in Orthodox Judaism, Mormonism, and the Amish religious communities.
- Tribal Endogamy: Marriage within the same tribe.
  - Example: Members of the Tartharol clan of Todas tribe in the Nilgiri Hills only marry other members of their clan.
- Royal family endogamy: Marriage within the same royal family to maintain their bloodlines.
Purpose:
- Maintaining Group Identity: Endogamous practices help preserve the cultural, religious, or ethnic identity of a group by ensuring that marriage partners share similar backgrounds and values.
- Strengthen Kinship Networks: By marrying within the group, individuals reinforce social connections and maintain a sense of community.
- Preserving Social Hierarchy: In some societies, endogamy helps maintain social structures and hierarchies by restricting marriage to individuals within the same social class or caste.
- Resisting Integration: Endogamy can serve as a form of segregation, helping a group resist integration or merging with other cultures or groups.

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