Let's compare to a map of the Islamic world:
Notice the high frequency of consanguineous marriages in the Islamic world? Does it mean anything? I didn't get my genetics degree at K-mart but if history HAS shown us one thing, it has shown us that too much inbreeding leads to extinction. I know Mark Steyn has a different take on this, but is it just a matter of time for the Arabs? From the British Medical Journal:
"Available data suggest that genetic and congenital disorders are more common in Arab countries than in industrialised countries; recessively inherited disorders account for a substantial proportion of physical and mental handicap...
High consanguinity rates—25-60% of all marriages are consanguineous, and the rate of first cousin marriages is high (figs 1 and 2; table A on bmj.com).4 w1
In addition, isolated subpopulations with a high level of inbreeding exist.
This has made the epidemiology of genetic disorders complicated, as many families and tribal groups are descended from a limited number of ancestors and some conditions are confined to specific villages, families, and tribal groups, leading to an unusual burden of genetic diseases in these communities (table B on bmj.com)1 2 5
And very few Nobel prize winners... Oh, and Jimmah Carter can still kiss my ass.
well done!
ReplyDeletei've blogged several detailed posts on this subject consanguinity, and endogamy and polygamy.
google it at my blog if you want. all the best!
will blgoroll u!