Marriage within the community: How endogamy affects genetic health of Indians
A recent report under India's genome project reveals that this practice is "highly prevalent" in all 83 population groups as part of the study, with some variations leading to population-specific diseases.HOW ENDOGAMY LEADS TO GENETIC DISEASES?Marrying within the caste is common all over India, irrespective of religion.In the Southern part of India, people usually practice the culture of marrying close relatives, a practice called "consanguineous marriages."This can lead to the hereditary transfer of diseases, impaired heart health even at a young age, arthritis, and abortions.
Marrying within the caste is common all over India, irrespective of religion. This is leading to a rise in genetic diseases. ()
advertisementSuch kinds of marriages can also lead to the transfer of diseases through generations."If both parents have certain diseases, it will be transferred to the kids too. Their children might inherit two copies of these genes, even though their parents show no symptoms of them,' said Dr. Palaniappan Manickam, Consultant Gastroenterologist, in a YouTube interview.Since endogamy has been in practice for ages, this has led to mutations within the population, paving the way for certain genetic diseases."The Indian population is endogamous. We find population-specific mutations," Dr. Kumaraswamy Thangaraj, Principal Investigator of India's Genome Project, told India Today Digital.In a study published by Thangaraj in Nature Genetics, the expert pointed out the influence of endogamy in causing cardiac problems in relatively young populations. This problem could get worse in South India in comparison to North India, as many people may suffer from cardiac problems in their old age.
Since endogamy has been in practice for ages, this has led to mutations within the population, paving the way for certain genetic diseases. ()
It also revealed that endogamy and not climate change or other factors have led to the deletion of certain base pairs of DNA, which are crucial for the regular heartbeat pattern.A type of arthritis known as ankylosing spondylitis, which causes inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine, is also associated with endogamy.Another study published in the journal Nature reveals that consanguineous marriage increases the risk of spontaneous abortion, stillbirths, neonatal mortality, and child mortality.WHAT CAN BE DONE?Educating people about the ill effects of endogamy is the need of the hour. Encouraging them to marry outside their communities will help in reducing the burden of genetic diseases.Counselling by doctors and screening programmes will help in the early detection of the diseases.Another way to put a stop to the spread of endogamy is by understanding the genetic makeup of Indians.The Genome India Project, a government-led research project that has mapped over 10,000 individuals, reveals major information on mutations that endogamy has led to.
Counselling by doctors and screening programmes will help in the early detection of the diseases. ()
advertisementDr. Thangaraj stated that since certain mutations are associated with these genetic diseases, "If we put all these mutations into an array, the diagnosis of any disease can be developed more cheaply."Response from the individuals is important for analysing the treatment techniques.'Certain individuals may respond positively to the treatment. For them, the new treatment may work. But in some, it may produce adverse effects, leading to thedevelopment of new drug–personalised medicines,' said Dr. Thangaraj.Encouraging inter-community marriages, genetic screening, and public awareness, along with government intervention in supporting the development of new drugs, are essential steps towards reducing diseases caused by endogamy.Tune InMust Watch
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