Genetic Blood Testing of Native Americans in the USA

Abstract

DECADES BEFORE DNA TESTING BECAME POPULAR, genetic blood testing was very prominent in searches for typical genetic markers and gene variations for specific biological races. The method of testing blood for typical Native American gene frequencies started in 1923 l and ended in the 1980s, when DNA testing was substituted in investigations of the origin and ancestry of American Indians. This earlier era of genetic blood testing (1923-198OS) will be discussed here from an ethno-historical perspective to provide an overview of the predecessor of DNA screening and the problems inherent in this method.The MethodThe blood group antigen system according to which American Indians were tested is set up on the basis of the following factors or markers:21. Red Cell Antigen System1.1. AB o blood group system ( ABo)1.2. MN and Ss blood group system (MNSs)1 .3. RH blood group system (RH)1 .4. Duffy blood group system (FY)1.5. Kidd blood group system (JK)1 .6. Diego blood group system (DI)1.7. Other Systems: Hh, Secretor, Lewis, Kell, Lutheran, Dombrock, Colton, Yt, Xg2. White Cell Antigen System:2. 1 . Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)3. Serum Protein System:3.1. Albumin (ALB)3.2. Haptoglobin (HP)3.3. Transferrins (TF)3.4. Group Specific Component (CG)3.5. Protein Properdin Factor ? (BF)3.6. Other Systems: Butyrylcholinestase El (BCHEl), Cholinestase E2 (CHE2)4. Red Cell Enzymes4. 1 . Phosphoglucomutase (PGMi, PGM2, PGM3)4.2. Acid Phosphatase (ACPi)4.3. Esterase D (ESD)4.4. Immunoglobulin (IgG) / Gamma Globulins (GM)4.5. Other Systems: Adenylate Kinase (AKi), Uridine Monophosphate Kinase, Phosphocluconate DehydrogenaseAccording to modern research, the following frequencies are classified as typical of Native North Americans (see Table overleaf).3As of today, more information on the genetic variations of Native Americans can still be drawn from genetic blood testing than from modern DNA screening.Much of what is known about patterns of genetic variation among indigenous populations of the Americas, and the evolutionary and population dynamics that gave rise to the observed patterns, are based almost exclusively on classical marker data. Allele frequency data remain the most extensive genetic data available for indigenous populations of North America, forming the basis for the biological history and origin of populations of the region.4High Frequency / PresenceABo*0MN*MRH*RiFY*ADI*AHLAA*2, HLAA*9HLAB*35, HLAB*27GM*A G, GM*A ?GC*CHIP, GC*IGLALB*Mexico, ALB*NaskapiTF*DCHI, TF*Bo-iBCHEi*U, CHE2*50-Low Frequency / AbsenceABo*A2,ABo*BRH*RoLU*AKEL*KHLAA*1, HLAA*3, HLAA*nHLAB*29, HLAB*i8GM*F B, GM*A,F ?BF*FAbnormal haemoglobinsA Critical AnalysisUnfortunately this view may be overly optimistic, as the case studies discussed here will show. The method and the data collected contain many problems.First of all, tribal designations and membership criteria have changed in the course of time:In the United States only a portion of the tribal groups in which individuals may identify membership are recognized by the federal government. Criteria for membership among tribal groups are not uniform. Many, if not most of the population samples for classical marker studies were collected prior to these political distinctions. Thus, in earlier studies it may be difficult to determine sample affiliation relative to the current definitions and recognized groups. An additional complexity obtains with terminology of group identity. Because many indigenous populations prefer to be identified by a name they have chosen rather than one assigned by outside entities, group names have changed over time, complicating retrospective comparative analyses. …