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Genetic assimilation in ethnic minorities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2011

R. W. Hiorns
R. W. Hiorns
Affiliation:
Department of Biomathematics, University of Oxford
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Extract

Broadly, genetic assimilation may be taken to mean the process by which groups acquire similar genes to one another. In the case of ethnic minorities, this usually involves a minority group and the surrounding majority population. Our knowledge of the genetics of human populations is imperfect and we may declare that only a small fraction of the total set of genes we possess may be identified. These genes may be divided into three subsets:

(1) genes which are known and have known effects upon characteristics of those who possess them;

(2) genes which are known and may be identified but have no known effects;

(3) genes which are unknown, presumed to be awaiting discovery.

Type
IV. Ethnic intermarriage
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 15 , supplement S8: Biosocial Aspects of Ethnic Minorities , 1983 , pp. 207 - 218
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

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