Hispanic genetic makeup
attributed to colonialism


A new study from researchers at the Langone Medical Center found that the imprint of European colonialism and imperialism is evident in the genetic makeup of today's Hispanic/Latino American populations. Scientists discovered that Europeans, Native Americans, as well as West Africans brought to the U.S. and Latin America by the trans-Atlantic slave trade, have influenced the genes of the current Hispanic/Latino populations. However, a large variation in genes among individuals within each population were still found to exist.

"It's naïve to think that the Hispanic/Latino populations have the same genetic makeup, even though the populations are described under one general category," says Harry Ostrer, a physician and professor of pediatrics, pathology. "Through sophisticated tests, we have determined that the genetic makeup Hispanic/Latino individuals vary between and within communities."

He is a physician and director of the Human Genetics Program at Langone Medical Center, which is affiliated with New York University.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, tested the genetic makeup of 100 individuals of Hispanic/Latino background in the New York tri-state area, including Dominicans, Columbians and Ecuadorians, as well as Mexicans and Puerto Ricans, the two largest Hispanic/Latino ethnic groups in the United States. Currently, Hispanic/Latino Americans comprise 15.4 percent of the total United States population, or 46.9 million people, and account for the largest ethnic minority in the United States.

"It is important to quantify the relative contributions of ancestry in relation to disease outcome in the Hispanic/Latino population," said study co-author Christopher Velez, a medical student at the university. "This ethnically appropriate genetic research will be critical to the understanding of disease onset and severity in the United States and in Latin America. It will allow for the development of appropriate genetic tests for this population."

Through their analysis of the entire genome, the researchers found evidence of a significant sex bias consistent with the disproportionate contribution of European male and Native American female ancestry to present day populations. The scientists also found that the patterns of genes in the Hispanic/Latino populations were impacted by proximity to the African slave trade. In fact, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans and Columbians from the Caribbean coast had higher proportions of African ancestry, while Mexicans and Ecuadorians showed the lowest level of African ancestry and the highest Native American ancestry.

European migrant contributors were mostly from the Iberian Peninsula and Southern Europe. Evidence was also found for Middle Eastern and North African ancestry, reflecting the Moorish and Jewish (as well as European) origins of the Iberian populations at the time of colonization of the New World. The Native Americans that most influenced the Hispanic/Latino populations were primarily from local populations.


Health ministry plans survey
of nation's sexual condition


The health ministry is embarking on a three-month sex study that will include face-to-face interviews with 4,800 persons from ages 15 to 80.

The Ministerio de Salud said that profound changes have taken place in society, and it hopes to build upon similar surveys that were done in 1999 and 2009.

The ministry said that respondent's data would be kept confidential and identification would not be attached to the final study.

Interviewers will talk to respondents in private, the ministry said, and those being interviewed will have the opportunity to ask for an interviewer of the same sex.

Interviewers will wear blue jackets and carry identification, the ministry said. It warned of impersonators. Interviewers will note responses on a computer instead of the traditional survey form, said the ministry.

Among other uses, the survey results will be used to plan government programs. Among other developments, the population is getting older, it said. A litany of government and non-profit agencies are supporting the project.


Concern about septic systems
is thoughtful and far-sighted

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

Al Almeida’s efforts to forestall pollution of Lake Arenal were described by writer Dennis Rogers in the May 28 issue of A.M. Costa Rica. Almeida’s warnings principally concerned the inferior requirements and construction of septic systems in Costa Rica. He seemed to be saying that those who are having homes built in the area should be diligent in making sure that the contractors provide septic systems which are up to North American standards, including drain fields, which often are missing here.

In the May 31 issue, Arenal resident Terry Moran, who identified himself as a real estate agency owner, furiously criticized Almeida, contending that his warnings of pollution by human development were “absolutely ridiculous.” To those who may be torn between the two opinions, I recommend that of thoughtful, far-sighted Al Almeida, who does not see criticism of building standards at Lake Arenal as a threat to his livelihood. As Almeida stated, the lake waters are now in relatively good condition. He is helping to keep them that way.

Alex Murray
Tronadora