The Nature article takes genetics and places Jews on a timeline through history and weaving them into ethnic and social groups that interacted with other peoples. Though the article does not provide a "historical explanation for the shared genetics", what value does this sort of information bear on us now in 2011? And why does this study follow Jews specifically on a genetic level? More broadly, why do genetics of a group of people matter through their movement in history? What applications from this knowledge of genetic flow of people carry to other disciplines (policy,
Click on link for the Nature Article: http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100603/full/news.2010.277.html
Although this article does not provide the historical explanation for shared genetics, it does put into perspective how similar and closely linked individuals are to each other although they may have different nationalities but ties to the same ethnic group. Since this group of particular interest shares common genetic make ups but are dispersed throughout different geographical regions, testing these groups of Jews from different locations will hopefully open the doors to discovering the influence nurture has on the development of diseases commonly seen and not seen in persons of Jewish descent. Now with this information in mind researchers will be able to examine environmental factors that trigger or suppress the expression of diseases associated with specific ethnic groups. Thus through comparing and contrasting the differences and similarities in genetically based traits, researchers will be able to investigate the degree to which there is a trade off between biological and environmental that shape the similarities and differences within ethnic groups. And furthermore through piecing together these differences, researchers may be able to join forces with archeologists and historians in an attempt at trying to determine what historical and environmental changes or events may have induced such adaptations to occur between the groups of this ethnic group displaced in varying locations.
ReplyDeleteIn addition this information on genetic influence may influence cross disciplines, through reconstructing policies related to citizenship and rights and incentives attributed to ethnic affiliations.
I agree with t.burks' comment that by studying many groups of Jewish people who are geographically diverse, we can see how environment shapes both genetics and health - whether it's through lifestyle and behaviors, culture, or even climate. Upon seeing the title of this article, I was instantly reminded of the high prevalence of Tay-Sachs Disease in Ashkenazi Jews (which is always mentioned in biology classes as an example of an autosomal recessive disorder). Approximately 1 in 25 individuals is a carrier for this disease. I think that with new genetic information regarding the similarities and differences between different Jewish populations, in combination with what is known about their history and cultures (diet, behaviors, environmental factors), more light can be shed on the expression and development of many diseases, such as Tay-Sachs Disease. With more knowledge, perhaps effective treatments can be developed.
ReplyDeleteThe globalization of chronic disease seems to bolster the position that all populations are susceptible and that variation in rates can be understood as the result of different environmental exposures. There is enormous variation in the patterns of culture-derived behavioral and risk factors if we were to look at a random population in the U.S., but studying the Jewish population based on continental genetics limits these risk factors, permitting a better categorization of genetic information.
ReplyDeleteThe modern idea of race stems from Europeans naming and organizing the populations they encountered in the hurried expansion of their empires. As a way to catalog humans, race has since taken on a wide range of meanings, mixing social and biologic components in different groups. In a similar way, the study of genomics aims to achieve this plasticity at a more intricate (DNA) level. It is not surprising, as a result, that opposing ideas have been voiced about its scientific and social value. Increasing knowledge of genetic flow will help endless disciplines on both the social and scientific spectra and will help them to better collaborate toward our understanding of the human population; “the sky is the limit.”
Genomics offers an opportunity to put biologic claims to the test. If these claims – that race essentially categorizes humans - are validated, then genomics will provide incredible and immediate clinical relevance, especially when it comes to drug therapy. For the future, I predict pharma will capitalize on the idea of race-specific “niche markets” that have the potential to distract physicians from existing therapies. But for us in 2011, race is not a sufficient proxy for use in choosing a treatment just yet. Some traits, such as skin color, vary in a markedly systematic pattern; yet it does not follow, conversely, that genetic variation among populations falls into racial categories (consider polygenic phenotypes). Translating differences among populations into a test that has decent predictive value with clinical decisions is arguably the greatest hurdle.
This article introduces the fact, based upon genetic profile data from the Human Genome Diversity Project, that different communities of Jews have strong genetic similarities amidst their vast genetic distinctions. The construction of a historic time line to explain these commonalities among the Jews of the same and different geographic regions would be useful, but would also be extremely difficult to pinpoint specific details. Regardless, this data provides us with the ability to delve deeper into the study of genetics and see more clearly how our genes are impacted and developed over time. I find it so interesting that, even in spite of all the population intermixing, certain significant genes still serve to link them as a common whole. The article discusses how the Jewish population has been dispersed throughout the Middle East and Europe, accounting for their great differences; each group has been exposed to different environments and ways of living in these various regions. By studying the effects of the environment on genetics, we are able to gather more information on what specific aspects of our physical beings and overall lives are altered and what remains stable. Through their movement in history, the many Jewish populations have displayed exterior differences that distinguish them as separate and genetically distinct- but it is clear by the knowledge gained from the genetic data that they are more linked than one would believe. With this foundation, we are able to more clearly understand and grasp that although we may be different, we are all genetically similar, some in more ways than others. And further research into these linking genes can potentially open new doors for developing new techniques of disease prevention and treatment in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis article brings to attention the significance of how the history of your ancestors is linked to genetics and human disease. Research was conducted using a genome wide analysis on Jews living in Iran, Iraq, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Syria, and Eastern Europe. Researchers described the genetic similarities among all these groups of Jews as a "genetic thread." The reason for the common genetic linkages found is because Jews all have a common ancestor, but they are now scattered around the world due to horrible discriminatory events, one being the Holocaust. I am Jewish myself, and before my family came to the US they lived in both Iran and Israel, which shows I can know more about my genetic susceptibility to disease by being aware of my family history. We can further separate Jews into Sephardic and Ashkenazi, based on the general origin of their ancestors. Knowing the history of where your ancestors originated from helps in know genetic knowledge that is tied to health and disease. If we follow any group of people throughout their movement in history we will likely find genetic traits that link them together. Another positive that can come from knowing the genetic flow of a group of people is it can lead to advancements in research. For instance, since we now know that genetic markers are common among Jewish populations research can now be conducted on genetic susceptibility to breast cancer and prostate cancer.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why this article picks the Jewish people to follow is because Jewish people have settled almost all over the world but came from one area about 150 generations ago, which is far back but not too far back to study. The study of the genetics of a certain people is very important when considering if they have moved around. By studying their genetics we can determine if a disease within the group is caused by environmental factors or if just by being a member of that race, you are more susceptible to a disease. Stephanie Jackson brought up an excellent point about Tay-Sachs disease in Jewish people. There is also a huge problem with African Americans and people of Sub-Saharan descent and sickle cell anemia. By studying genetics we have found that it is a genetic factor that causes sickle cell anemia. With time our technology will become more advanced and we can learn more about the genetics of disease.
ReplyDeleteAs it has been stated in class we are all 99.9% identical. The importance and focus of genetics is to look more closely at the 0.1% difference between us. Looking specifically at Jewish people who share common ancestry and religion that 0.1% may be an even smaller number. In 2011, this sort of information can help highlight trends in diseases and mutations that may cause certain illness to arise and may be applicable to more people than simply those studied. By looking at a very similar group of people their differences will not be so striking as if looking at the world's population as a whole. The groups studied most likely had similar experiences, exposures, and health habits to some degree. In this case many other random factors are ruled out and the true genetics behind diseases can be discovered. The genetics of a group of people following their history is important because it can be correlated with world historic events that were going on when mutuations and adaptations occured. This information on genetic flow can be used in many diciplines. If it has been determined that this set of people are predisposed to a certain disease they could be advised to avoid exposures. With regards to genetic testing, if this genetic flow is passed down through generations than certain tests would be more useful in indicating presence of a disease and would allow for timely interventions or preventative measures that would decrease overall healthcare costs.
ReplyDeleteAdding to C. LaPorte's comment about genetic connections to racial/ethic groups - I agree that race is an almost entirely social construction, what this genetic study shows are connections between ethic groups by region and/or ancestry. There are certain genetically linked disorders like Tay Sachs that have been identified within Jewish populations, but what this article helps explain is that those diseases can be present in other populations as well, and are not necessarily completely isolated in the Jewish community. This reminds me of the case of Sickle Cell anemia, which is often thought off as a disease of Africans or African Americans. It is more prevalent in those populations because of the heterozygote advantage associated with malaria, but this makes Sickle Cell related to populations affected by malaria and not certain racial/ethic groups. In both this case or in the case of diseases in Jewish populations, it is important to note that people outside of the stereotypical patient that is traditionally associated with that condition may still need testing and treatment as well.
ReplyDeleteAs T. Burks mentioned, testing these study groups in different locations will hopefully show links between cultural, environmental, and biological factors that affect health issues within a specific population. Considering these factors, history and artifacts, researchers have found strong similarities in the genetic makeup apart from the various locations for the study.
ReplyDeleteWe need not to forget that Judaism is a religion: an identity and not a race. The genetic findings for this study may not be completely accurate due to those who have converted to Judaism. Did the researches consider this when surveying the Jewish population? I would have liked to know this piece of information in the article.
This article illustrates how different groups of Jewish individuals from several well-established communities around the world have some genetic similarity that weaves them together, which the researchers refer to as a “genetic thread”. Although the researchers do not go into a historical explanation for these shared genetics, the results indicate how closely linked individuals with the same ethnicity are despite their location around the world. Furthermore, this information allows us to analyze how genetics, environment, and lifestyle factors can all have a profound effect on disease. This data that constructs a historic time line to explain the similarities among the Jews from different geographic locations will enable us to study the impact of genomics. This information allows for researchers to study how our genes are impacted over time and by our environment. For the future, I believe that by studying different ethnic groups in dispersed areas will provide more information regarding the effects of not just our genetic background, but our behavior, lifestyle, and environment as well. By having geneticists and historians study this information on genetic influence, we will be able to have a deeper understanding of certain genetic diseases and more information that can lead to effective treatments.
ReplyDeleteGoing back to S. Walker's post - I thought the exact same thing. I'm sure a lot of people in HS320 have encountered this topic in previous classes. It is theorized that the sickle cell gene originated in regions where malaria was prevalent and where people were exposed to hot, wet conditions ideal for contact with mosquitoes. The presence of this trait, presumably originating from a mutation, benefited those infected; those who survived passed on the gene. Today, however, the gene does not necessarily serve as a protective agent and can now compromise people's health.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if anyone in the class knows of diseases primarily affecting the Jewish population the same way malaria affects primarily African Americans? And if so, what environmental pressures served as catalysts for these disease-causing genes to become so common? i.e., were the genes ever beneficial? (Regarding the article - interesting that the family tree website asked specifically for Jewish origins)
The information provided by this study has tremendous value because it elucidates population genetics for 2011 and beyond. With this study, we now have specific genetic blueprints of Jewish populations which can be useful to study the hereditary origins of disease in non-Jewish populations as well. Furthermore, it can provide the framework for determining the makeup of genetic disorders, increases the need for curs, and expedites the development of genetic counseling. Anyhow, I was especially surprised by some of their findings. For example, the most genetically different Jewish groups were those from Iran and Iraq. However, Iranian and Iraqi Jews are the closest to each other in proximity. How could these adjacent neighbors have such a difference in their genetic make-ups? Religious and cultural beliefs could have contributed to this odd, inverse relationship, but I believe this particularly illustrates the important interplay of epigenetic factors that co-exist in the determination of gene expression which are environmental, and which include behavioral lifestyle factors as well.
ReplyDeleteIn response to DiPerna’s question, there are many genetic diseases that exist in Jewish populations, but that are more common in Ashkenazi Jews. One of these is obviously Tay-Sachs, which affects roughly 1 in every 30 Jews. An additional disorder, known as Gaucher’s disease, is less virulent but actually more prevalent than Tay-Sach’s--affecting approximately 1 in every 15 Ashkenazi Jews. Gaucher’s is a rare disease characterized by a metabolic dysfunction that primarily affects the spleen and liver and causes organ enlargement, bone pain, anemia, and fatigue. Both of these diseases can be diagnosed through screening. Moreover, the success in Tay-Sach screening emphasizes the importance of newborn screening in genetic counseling. I believe applications from this study’s knowledge of people’s genetic flow can carry to other disciplines, such as the field of newborn screening. If newborns of certain ethnic groups with genetic diseases (such as Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, which is also a disease that primarily affects Ashkenazi) can be detected through early screening, then preventative measures can be taken so that they will lead healthier lives earlier rather than later in life.
By following genetics on a timeline, we can learn a lot about the commonalities seen in different groups of people. As Gary and others mentioned, we can determine if susceptibility to a given disease is based on environmental factors or genetic factors. The example of Tay-Sachs was mentioned a few times; Tay-Sachs is one of many diseases that Ashkenazi Jews can be carriers of. When we know that a particular disease is linked to a gene found in specific groups of people, a couple of the same descent may use this information to consider reproductive options. Because a lot of research has been done on genetic markers in Jewish people, and because they have settled recently enough to study according to the article, these people make up an appropriate population to follow and contribute to our current, advanced genetic research of 2011.
ReplyDeleteThis study could also be on interest to historians. The similarities observed between Jewish people in different areas confirm the dispersal of Jewish people around the Middle East and Europe. Or, it can contradict theories, by showing the genetic closeness between Jews and non-Jews in the same area. As others have mentioned, this research could be beneficial for technology too. If historians and genetic technicians collaborate, maybe they can fill in the missing piece, the historical explanation for shared genetics.
-Becca Adlman
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ReplyDeleteI think this article sheds light on a very fascinating misconception, which personally I never thought about… Although it was proclaimed in class that we as humans are 99.9% similar it is not made apparent until demonstrated by studies such as this one. This article reflects the genetic similarities individuals share simply as a result of behavioral and geographical influences. As J. Daniels stated, religion is an identity (rather than a result of biological factors), yet subgroups of these peoples share common distinctions; coined by researchers as a "genetic thread". Studies such as these allow us to map the spread of demographic groups; and possibly (if science allows), make correlations between historic events and possible changes in a groups’ genome. If researchers can look into the past in order to further understand genetics for the future, it’ll be beneficial to all. Information about genetic flow can be used to understand the past and to create beneficial health policies for the future. If it is known that a certain demographic group is predisposed to a certain illness as a result of mutations or simply being the carrier for a specific gene, health physicians can make screening processes more readily available for these high risk groups, and hopefully alleviate some of the unpredictability that accompanies disease.
ReplyDeleteI think it's really interesting that the article did not mention Tay-Sachs disease or Gaucher's Disease, two diseases that are more common to Jewish populations than to other subgroups of people. As seen in many of the comments above, Stephanie Jackson, Gary, and S. Walker to name a few, Tay-Sachs is one of the first genetically linked diseases that comes to mind regarding this specific topic. In Jewish communities, screening for carrier genes of Tay-Sachs is already a common practice. So why not mention it in a study of genetic risks in the Jewish populations? I think this article indirectly emphasizes the shift of genetic research. Research began with prenatal screening, a practice that is now widely accepted; however, the new focus seems to be on adult life. The article mentions genetic links to prostate cancer, breast cancer, Crohn’s Disease, and Parkinson’s Disease, disorders that most commonly present in adulthood. It should be noted that the diseases mentioned are also influenced by environmental factors, which may be the reason why they are under investigation. Still, this article is a perfect example of the change that studies like the Human Genome Project have caused in the focus of genetic research.
ReplyDeleteI find it amazing how closely related people are. Though we all come from different background, cultures, and beliefs, we are all inherently the same. In the last few lines of the article, it mentions testing the Ashkenazi Jews' susceptibility to Crohn's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and certain cancers. I'm interested to see if other distantly related peoples, such as the Italians and Palestinians, are just as susceptible. Like what many others before me have said, life-style choices and environmental factors should be held accountable for potentially aiding in the onset of said diseases. An interesting test they could run would be to take DNA samples from all those they examined in the study and have their DNA's face the teratogens that may cause cancer, Crohn's Disease, and Parkinson's Disease, just to name a few. This could shed light on how immune/susceptible, alongside how related, all these different Jews are to one another.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to recent news, maybe the Jews and Palestinians shouldn't fight over the Gaza Strip. I mean, they're basically 2nd cousins. Sort of. Iran's much like the annoying distant aunt, too. If only they set their differences aside and looked at their genetics, maybe the Middle East will finally chill out (hopefully).
I found this Nature article to be very informative, and it just goes to show just how great of an impact genetics has on individuals across the globe. In particular, I found it interesting that the Jewish "genetic thread" is woven across different distinct regions, such as the Middle East and Europe. I think it's important that researchers connect the history behind certain groups such as the Jewish in this article to their genetics, in a way that is meaningful and can resonate with people regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or individual backgrounds. Since this particular article did not provide a "historical explanation for the shared genetics" it would be a great opportunity for future research if the article was followed up with another one that explored the history behind this global genetic connection. It would also be interesting to apply the questions that were asked in the "Is this a Valid Study?" Part B article we read for class and discussed today. Since this genetic association seems to be quite strong, it would make for an even stronger finding if we were assured that no false associations occurred during the research process.
ReplyDeleteIt was very interesting to see how heritage and lineage can play into one’s genetic make-up. I found it very interesting that people of a specific ethnic group, in this case Jewish people, can have more similar genes even if they are not from the same area. This shows how closely people of the same heritage can be linked. Moreover, this shows that an alteration in genetic make-up from a long time ago may still be apparent now, and have spread to become “normal” to people of a similar background. I think that this knowledge can assist in the screening of certain diseases. People of certain ethnicities can be targeted because their increased risk of a certain gene is known. Since the study followed Jews strictly on a genetic level it better illustrates how these genes have spread globally within the Jewish population, and are no longer secluded to a certain area. It also shows that it is not necessarily an environmental factor that is a major risk factor, but rather the risk factor is genetically based.
ReplyDeleteThe article is showing the history of global genetic connection within one's heritage and lineage. Jewish people who live on one side of the country and those living on the other side of the country may have a very strong genetic association. The article discusses genetic risk factors of the Jewish population. As others have mentioned, I find it interesting that the article did not mention Tay-Sach's disease or another prominent disease that are in the Jewish community. A disease such as Tay-Sach's stays within the Jewish community because those with the gene remain in the community their entire lives passing it on from generation to generation making the gene ever-present. The information presented in this study is very valuable. In sub-populations such as Jewish people, screening can greatly lower the risk. This article shows the importance of genetic screening and genetic counseling in finding diseases such as Tay-Sachs early on. Genetic screening has been very successful in the area of Tay-Sach's. This should be attributed to other cultures as well. Applications such as genetic screening needs to be applied to other diseases to catch them in early stages. This information allows researchers to study the human genome over time and see changes in genes. I agree that studying different ethnic groups with certain gene mutations will lead to medicine and genetic understandings of how and why we have the genetic makeup that we do.
ReplyDeleteI find this article to be really interesting in the fact that the researchers only studied the Jewish population. I think that the “historical explanation for the shared genetics” can help us a lot in the field of genetics. For instance, if we took each ethnic group and studied the genetics of them all over the world, then we could find common diseases and genetic markers that occur in one group versus the other. This would help the Human Genome Project to look at genes and markers in an even more specific way. It also allows geneticists to look at the link of genetics between dietary habits, behavior, cultural practices, and lifestyle differences for different ethnic groups. Furthermore, it is important to observe the fact that genetics change over time because of natural selection and mutations. Thus, this leads to a change in DNA from generation to generation. Studying a population of people is not as beneficial when looking at one particular time period. But rather looking at their movement in history will allow researchers to see how migration from one place to another may have changed their genes or not changed their genetics. Lastly, this knowledge of genetic flow of people can help health professionals to improve treatment and prevention methods specifically for different ethnic groups.
ReplyDeleteEven though the article did not address the historical reasons why Jews have a "shared genetics," the information it provides in terms of population genetics and public health presages a future that may already be upon us. Researchers in the article used genomics to study Jewish populations, but there are other important applications of this science. In the very near future, getting "genotyped" could be as routine as getting vaccinated. And every doctor you visit will have access (with your approval, of course!) to some, or all, of your genome. The information from a person's genotype will not only help doctors determine who is predisposed to certain diseases, but will also enable physicians to prescribe the appropriate dosage of medicine, given the wide range of genetic inter-variability in how drugs are metabolized.
ReplyDeleteI think this study specifically focused on Jews because researchers needed a population group that was sufficiently dispersed geographically and whose lineage and ancestry were well-established over many generations. Researchers had to be fairly certain they were sampling people of Jewish descent before going ahead with the study. And, so in answer to J. Daniels's query, I'm sure researchers made sure to collect DNA from people of Jewish ancestry and not from people who may have converted to Judaism.
Even though there was a "shared genetics" between the Jewish populations sampled, there were also differences. These differences could shed light on the Jewish Diaspora by showing when subsets of the population diverged (genetically) from one another. In other words, the science of genomics could corroborate or refute current hypothesis about the origin of human races and the movements and migrations of peoples through the ages.
Though the article does not provide a historical explanation of shared genetics, this information has a lot of value for 2011. By studying different Jewish populations, we can see how environmental factors influence disease around the world. As researchers get closer to figuring out the risk of different diseases by looking gene mutations in ethnic populations, there will be a better understanding of genetic makeups that will lead to the development of better prevention measures. I thought it was really interesting when J. Grodman said in the near future, getting "genotyped" could be as routine as getting vaccinated. I also agree with S. Walker that this article helps explain that genetic ties can be seen in other populations as well. It makes you think about how all different types of people are more similar than you think, and it brought me back to the first day of class when we learnt that everyone is 99.9% identical. I think the history perspective is important in genetics and disease as well. If researchers were able to determine the genetic split between Middle Eastern and European Jews occurred 100-150 generations ago by conducting this study, than maybe they can think of future research as a continuing timeline to study the development of disease and mutations. Hopefully this will lead to a more effective way of finding treatments and a better way to determine one's susceptibility of developing an illness.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting article because it is not the first time I have heard that Jews have similar genetic characteristics. For example, there is one disease that Jews are more likely to encounter in life than non-jew, which goes to prove that this article is on the right track. Today, the findings talked about in the article are very important because maybe they will be able to find out what it is that Jews all aorund the world have in their genes that is so similar and maybe find an answer to the fact that Jews are more liekly to suffer from certain diseases when compared to non-jews; as happens with african americans and other races. I think this article follows Jews specifically at a genetic level because in the past it has been proven that again, certain races are prone to certain diseases and since Jews come from all over the world it is interesting to see what it is in their genes that is so similar despite them coming from various regions. Genetics is impacted by the idea that people move around the world and this obviously afects their genes because people evolve and are descendents of different places which if we dig through history enough we might find an answer to the many questions there are about genetic diseases today. This genetic knowledge will obviously help science, genetics specifically, policy because maybe insurance companies will one day become more understanding if a person is a Jew or African American with a disease that their race is more susceptible to and technology will have to find ways to cure/deal with these diseases. This specific concentration on Jews will also open doors for scientists to someday focus on other races/ethnicities and discover why it is that different groups are more likely to suffer form certain diseases.
ReplyDeleteAlthough this article did not fully explain the historical component of why the genetics are shared, I still found this piece interesting. In correlation to what S.Marchese said, I agree that focusing on one specific population can have benefits on the field of gentic study as a whole. By analyzing Jews as a subset of a larger population, researchers can attempt to find links to genetic disorders throughout different groups of people. By studying one group of people who share a commonality, these findings can be applied to help science on a larger scale. The article mentioned increasing the study to involve a larger sample size to use genetic mapping as a tool in studying diseases such as Parkinsons. This modification could improve existing knowledge of disease among the Jewish population by allowing researchers to analyze how small gentic changes relate to the bigger picture of disease. I don't find the information in this article too shocking because it is already known that all humans are 99.9% identical in their genetic components. Thus, to say that Jews share genetic ties does not seem like much new information. The study also explained that SNPs were largely to blame for genetic differences in the population being studied. I think it would be highly intersting to delve deeper into the history of Jews around the world to see the effects of diaspora on genetics. Lifestlye factors are known to influence disease patterns and studying this in the specific popuilation of Jews in certain areas of the world could prove beneficial. By studying certain populations, researchers are on the right track to identifying how genetic similarites play a role in an indivdual's risk of developing disease on a global scale. Afterall, humans share so much of the same genetic material that this research could eventually have far reaching impacts.
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ReplyDeleteWe live in a world which unfortunately is extremely anti-Semitic. This, of course is not something new. Since ancient times Jews have been persecuted for no other reason than their "Jewishness' and all that implies for the persecutors. Imagine if it could be someday definitively proven that Jews and Palestinians have such strong "genetic ties," that in fact they are really one groups in all, but name. What might that hold for antisemitism? Could it be eradicated in several generations if enough of the population were convinced of this? The Middle East is and have been for some time a power waiting for a huge explosion, witness the recent events in Egypt. Israel is surrounded by enemies who hate the idea o a Jewish state. What a radical notation to discover that the Jews of Israel ad the Palestinians were not really two different groups. Could the Middle East develop along different lines before some cataclysm takes place?
ReplyDeleteOn an entirely different note, the study of genetic markers as far as medical research is concerned is also of the utmost importance. Before disease can be dealt with they must be fully understood.
IT does not surprise me that communities of Jews around the world have genetic commonalities. The genetic similarities would come from common ancestors that have perhaps passed both their genes, as well as their religious faith on to successive generations. The connection to the non-Jewish neighbors in Europe, the Middle East, Bedouin, and Palestine are most likely due to intermarriage between these people or perhaps because of conversion. The genetic dispersal may also have been a result of the tragic Jewish diaspora. Most important, is that the common genetic factors can be used to study the genetic susceptibility to breast and prostate cancers among Ashkenazi Jews, thus potentially benefiting the health of Jews throughout the world.
ReplyDeleteThis article made me think of the studies performed on identical twins in order to determine which of their traits are due to genetics and which stem from environmental influences. Because identical twins have all of the same genes, twins who are separated at birth to be raised in different places can attribute any differences they end up having to their environment. Similarly, the Jewish people in this study have many genes that would be similar. By tracking them as they move and assimilate into new and different regions and cultures, researchers can begin to form ideas of what traits are more likely to appear in the Jewish population as a whole, regardless of their location. This can help to inform people of what kinds of diseases they may be susceptible to, letting them know what they should be looking out for or even getting a genetic test for.
ReplyDeleteHow is it that so many Jewish people can have so much in common when seemingly everything about them is different except for their religion? My thinking stems from the cultural and religious contexts to which Jews adhere when they seek a partner of the opposite sex. If we trace the lineage of the Jewish nation they stem from one man... Abraham. Over the successive generations, the Jewish people have abided by very specific marriage guidelines... they marry members of the same faith. To me this is how despite the spatial location of different members of the Jewish faith, they can maintain such close genetic ties. Also this is why some diseases such as Tay-Sachs disease seem to plague people of Jewish heritage. However, for obvious reasons, not everyone of the Jewish faith chooses to marry a member of their faith and for this I can see how the genomic makeup of a spatial Jewish population can be so similar to non-Jewish groups of the same area.
ReplyDelete“Jews worldwide share genetic tie” demonstrates how your ancestry is related to health and disease. This article chose to follow different groups of Jewish individuals from several well-established communities from all over the world, and discovered that they have strong genetic commonalities, creating a “genetic thread, as described by researchers, that weaves these groups together in spite of their various geographic locations. This is importation because it demonstrates how following genetics on a timeline can elucidate if a disease that afflicts particular group is caused by environmental factors or by genetic factors, such as race. As a result of the commonality among genetic markers throughout Jewish populations research can now be conducted on genetic susceptibility to others diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Crohn’s disease and breast cancer, In conclusion, I agree with T. Burks statement that these studies will be able to demonstrate the ties between biological, cultural and environment and their affect on the health and disease prevalent in a population.
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ReplyDeleteAs previously mentioned, I think employing a retrospective approach to the study genomics is extremely interesting, and it continues to unveil the interconnectedness we all share, despite our geographic differences.
ReplyDeleteIn the interest of broadening the scope of the article, another current hot topic in genetic studies is the issue of preterm birth. Since the 1950s, researchers have been searching for some genetic basis as to why some women have preterm infants, despite having no known risk factors for premature delivery. In numerous genetic studies, researchers have found that even when socio-demographic factors are adjusted for, African-American women, regardless of their socioeconomic status (SES), are at a three to four times greater risk of delivering prematurely than they non-Hispanic, White counterparts. I have included two articles below that offer various genetic theories as to what is the “preterm gene”. Even though this issue is not directly related to the article, it demonstrates that people who come from similar genetic backgrounds are likely to suffer from the same diseases and health complications, regardless of their SES.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/50177.php
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/557081_3
As previously mentioned, I think employing a retrospective approach to the study genomics is extremely interesting, and it continues to unveil the interconnectedness we all share, despite our geographic differences.
ReplyDeleteIn the interest of broadening the scope of the article, another current hot topic in genetic studies is the issue of preterm birth. Since the 1950s, researchers have been searching for some genetic basis as to why some women have preterm infants, despite having no known risk factors for premature delivery. In numerous genetic studies, researchers have found that even when socio-demographic factors are adjusted for, African-American women, regardless of their socioeconomic status (SES), are at a three to four times greater risk of delivering prematurely than they non-Hispanic, White counterparts. I have included two articles below that offer various genetic theories as to what is the “preterm gene”. Even though this issue is not directly related to the article, it demonstrates that people who come from similar genetic backgrounds are likely to suffer from the same diseases and health complications, regardless of their SES.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/50177.php
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/557081_3
I think it is interesting how researchers have tied-in the relevance of genetic similarity among not only Jews, but Palestinians and Italians as well. And although we humans share approximately 99% of the same genetic material, it is interesting to note how that remaining one percent of difference can account for such a wide variety of differences. From an epidemiology perspective, I think that observing previous Jewish generations in addition to future generations acts almost as a retrospective, as well as prospective cohort study. As other individuals have commented, this can help geneticists determine the influence of “nuture” or other cultural/ behavior differences between different Jewish populations. I believe this information will be very helpful, in 2011, when determining how much influence culture can have on a population, outside of genetic influence.
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