b5media bloggers discuss issues of global importance
April 5, 2007 by Grace Ibay
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
WORLD HEALTH DAY 2007 is on April 7, and this week is an occasion to raise awareness of key global health issues.
Undoubtedly, the issues that I focus on are of global importance. The threat of bird flu is far from over, and if this crisis balloons into a pandemic, 62 million people could die from it. The need for vigilance, dissemination and rapid response is all the more important in a interconnected world. In the coming months, I will also be expanding the scope of this blog to include other viral diseases that impact both international and personal health securities.
Other b5media science and health bloggers participated in World Health Day by posting about other issues of importance. Jul at Veggie Chic rounded up an array of posts that included diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, breastfeeding, global light pollution, chronic illness and violence, autism, alcoholism, heart disease, genetics, 
and even baldiness (because hair loss affects 96% of Caucasian men).
Tags: b5media, blogs, b5media, blogs, health, science, bird flu, influenza, viruses, epidemic, pandemic, alert
The National Genographic Project: Genes from Around the World
The National Genographic Project is one of the most fascinating genetics studies currently being conducted. I’ve written extensively about the project and the controversies surrounding it and was excited to find this entertaining video featuring some of the people who have participated.
The genome revolution is set to influence the entire world. Learn more about other global issues at b5media’s Science and Health Theme Day hosted by Jul at Veggie Chic.
Tags: b5media, b5 media, world health day, world health, genetics, genes, genome, dna, national genographic project, national geographics
Pacific Genes & Life Patents Book
For several years, indigenous groups have taken issue with scientists studying their DNA. When National Geographic began collecting DNA samples for The Genographic Project, the Maori of New Zealand along with Alaska natives feared that DNA evidence would invalidate their history and break family ties. Aroha Mead and Dr. Steven Ratuva have put together a volume of essays, entitled Pacific Genes & Life Patents, that examine how Pacific Indigenous communities have been affected by genetic research and products, and patents on life forms. The book is available for free online.
The editors and authors of Pacific Genes & Life Patents present articles, case studies, and other information which show that “outsiders” are predominantly interested in harvesting genetic information for profit without any regard for Pacific cultural values and norms.
From the Preface:
As a region, the Pacific has experienced more than its fare share of external experimental research that has resulted in the commodification and misappropriation of important components of their ancestral inheritance. For others, it might be difficult to understand how a plant could be regarded as a living ancestor, or that human blood retains its life spirit even after it has been collected for medical research and synthesized and isolated for specific DNA qualities. Such values are still very much a part of the daily lives and analysis of Pacific communities.
More at ABC Science Online, March 20, 2007
Tags: indigenous population, aboriginal, genetics, genome, dna, genes, biotechnology, aroha te pareake mead, steven ratuva
DNA Testing of Students Help Highlight Diversity
Students from Oakton Community College in Illinois have none of the reservations others have voiced thus far about National Geographic’s The Genographic Project. Oakton’s Board of Student Affairs have encouraged students to participate and share the results of their DNA analysis in the hope of showcasing the multicultural community at the school; 10,000 students speak more than 50 different languages. The tests were subsidized by the school and students paid only $10 of the $99 cost of the kits.
Oakton students will share their results in March during the school’s annual Cultures Week with a series of student and faculty panel discussions, seminars and essays.
Programs will draw on experts in the biological sciences, literature, sociology, cultural geography and related fields.
Among the program highlights will be a map showing the migratory routes taken by ancestors of the Oakton participants.
“It’s the idea of the journeys people make,” [sociology professor Gwen] Nyden said. “We have a lot in common. We got here taking many different journeys.”
I love the positive attitude of everyone involved and wish I could attend Oakton’s Cultures Week.
Tags: oakton community college, national geographic, genographic project, genetics, genes, dna, genealogy, ancestry, health
Discontentment Brews Over The Genographic Project
National Geographic has been running The Genographic Project since early 2005. Instead of being focused on the genetics of disease, The Genographic Project is interested in using DNA variations as a form of genetic archaelogy to track historical human migration and the development of racial groups from the beginning of human evolution. Not surprisingly, many indigenous groups have expressed their distrust of the project, including the Maori of New Zealand and now Alaska natives.
The New York Times has an in-depth look at what’s going on with The Genographic Project at present.
At issue is whether scientists who need DNA from aboriginal populations to fashion a window on the past are underselling the risks to present-day donors. Geographic origin stories told by DNA can clash with long-held beliefs, threatening a world view some indigenous leaders see as vital to preserving their culture.
But more importantly, indigenous leaders and others fear legal repercussions. For instance, DNA evidence might show that some members of the tribe aren’t related genetically and would then lose benefits. Or that legal claims over certain land, property, and rights be revoked.
What do they want? They want National Geographic to stop “sucking indigenous blood.”
Susan Sarandon’s DNA Leads Her to Wales
On tomorrow’s episode of Coming Home on BBC One, Susan Sarandon traces her Welsh roots with DNA confirmation.
Analysis of the star’s maternal DNA showed she had Italian ancestry on that side of her family, he [Professor Bryan Sykes] said.
However after looking at her brother’s DNA, to determine her paternal ancestry, they found Ms Sarandon’s links to Wales through her father, Phillip Leslie Tomalin.
One of these days I might just be tempted to get a Genographic Project participation kit.
Technorati Tags: susan sarandon, bryan sykes, genetics, genes, dna, genealogy, wales, welsh, health
MAOA Gene and Maori Violence
Is it any wonder the Maori objected to the inclusion of their DNA in the National Geographic’s The Genographic Project? The latest research produced by New Zealand researcher Dr Rod Lea and his colleagues’ shows a connection between the frequency of specific monoamine oxidase (MAOA) gene variants and certain positive and negative behaviors in the Maori. The MAOA gene has previously been linked to violent behavior and neophilia.
Dr. Lea in his presentation to the International Congress of Human Genetics in Brisbane:
Maori, being very adventurous individuals as they crossed the Pacific, have carried this gene forward and it was partly responsible for them arriving in New Zealand and surviving.
[The gene also] goes a long way to explaining some of the problems Maori have. Obviously, this means they are going to be more aggressive and violent and more likely to get involved in risk-taking behaviour like gambling. They’re much more likely to binge drink than other groups which are more likely to moderate their drinking.
Research is also being conducted on the “thrifty gene” and its role in the higher rates of obesity in the Maori. A very interesting population to study but I hope the researchers are being sensitive to the impact of their findings on the Maori and helping to develop ways in which to improve the life and health of this special indigenous population.
The Daily Telegraph, August 8, 2006
Technorati Tags: maori, genetics, genes, dna, maoa, monoamine oxidase, aggressive behavior, violence, neophilia
Gene Talk #3: The Countess
The Genographic Project is one of the most fascinating DNA studies currently being undertaken. In addition to collecting samples from people all over the world, anyone who is interested can purchase a kit, collect your own DNA using a buccal swab, and send it in for analysis. Using select genetic markers, the Genographic Project will analyze your DNA and map your ancestors’ migratory history.
The Countess, The Count, and The Royal Spawn bought the Genographic Project Public Participation Kit for Christmas and are now awaiting their results.
I have to remind his dad to make sure both of them watch the DVD that comes with The Genographic Project packet I bought for The Royal Spawn for Christmas. The DNA has already been tested, and the results are being tabulated now. Soon, The Count, The Royal Spawn, and I will know where our ancesters came from. The Royal Spawn needs to watch that DVD so that he understands what the project is all about. We can check the status of our DNA buccal swabs on The Genographic Project’s web site. I’ve been checking it every couple of days. This is really exciting.
Aside from waiting for the results, The Countess is also battling Empty Nest Syndrome. If you have a moment, go over and cheer up her!
Technorati Tags: genographic project, national geographic, dna, genetics, genes, genealogy
Commercially Available DNA Tests
Via ABC News, the Associated Press has a good overview of commercially available DNA tests that anyone with the inclination and some spare pocket change can indulge in. Genetic tests discussed include:
- National Geographic Society’s The Genographic Project
- Sciona nutritional genomics DNA tests
- Baby Gender Mentor home test kit
- Genealogy DNA testing
Might make some good birthday presents too.
Personal Results from the The Genographic Project
The main aims of the National Geographic Genographic Project are to study human migration and population genetics by collecting DNA from people around the world. One way individuals can participate is to buy a $99.95 kit with which you can collect your own DNA and track your results online.
A reporter from Singapore’s Todayonline was surprised to find that her DNA mapped to haplogroup H, which is associated with more than half of all Europeans, many North Africans and Middle Easterners, and some Northern Indians and central Asians. She apparently belonged to an understudied branch of haplogroup H.
She reflects on the tendency of her mother and others to believe in the superiority of “pure” Chinese bloodlines:
How, even today, we define ourselves by race, when it is nothing more than an ephemeral set of skin-shallow characteristics.
And as science can now show, at the genetic level, a sallow-skinned, dark-eyed woman of Chinese descent can have more in common with a pale-skinned, blue-eyed European than one thinks.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if genetic information could bring racial harmony and understanding? After all, everyone has DNA.
