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Biogeographic Ancestry




The study of ancestry based on Mitochondrial DNA , ALU Polymorphism s, and other genetic markers has significant implications in Law Enforcement , Medicine , Archaeology , and Anthropology .

Scientists believe genetic ancestry can help to focus the search for Gene s that affect individuals' risks of Disease s, as well as prevalence and distribution of disease. Others advocate using it as a means of profiling persons for the purposes of law enforcement. In many of the cases, the term is used synonymously with Race and can be used to determing the genetic admixture of an individual.

The field is sometimes controversial because of the ethical issues raised by DNA profiling. Some critics argue that biogeographic ancestry is simply a means of Reification for a Social Construct .


REFERENCES


  • Bamshad M. Genetic Influences on Health: Does Race Matter? ''Journal of the American Medical Association.'' 2005; 294: 937-946.


  • Fernández JR, Shriver MD, Beasley TM, Rafla-Demetrious N, Parra E, Albu J, Nicklas B, Ryan AS, McKeigue PM, Hoggart CL, Weinsier RL, Allison DB. Association of African Genetic Admixture with Resting Metabolic Rate and Obesity Among Women. ''Obesity Research'' 2003 11: 904-911.


  • Tishkoff SA, Kidd KK. Implications of biogeography of human populations for 'race' and medicine. ''Nature Genetics'' 36, S21 - S27 (2004).



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