Appendix 2, part 3: RACIAL MIXING BROUGHT THE HEMOGLOBIN D DISORDER TO BRITAIN AND IRELAND Hemoglobin D is a genetically transmitted blood disorder which originated on the Indian sub-continent, and which spread to England, Scotland and Ireland during the colonial period when many soldiers – Englishmen, Scots and Irishmen – took Indian wives back to their homelands. It is worthwhile to review the hemoglobin D case study because it proves two things: - Firstly, that genetically inherited conditions, such as sickle cell and hemoglobin D, are transmitted directly by racial mixing; and -Secondly, to show that it is not just southern Europe that has been affected by racial mixing during the course of history, but that northern European lands have also fallen prey to this phenomenon, albeit in smaller overall numbers. HEMOGLOBIN TYPE IS INHERITED “HEMOGLOBIN is the oxygen transporting substance found in the red blood cells. There are hundreds of different hemoglobin variants identified in all races and populations of people. The kind of hemoglobin we have depends upon our genetic inheritance. Genes are units of inheritance passed on from our parents. These messengers determine characteristics such as eye and hair color, and they also determine hemoglobin type.” - The Virginia Sickle Cell Awareness Program (VASCAP), http://views.vcu.edu/pediatrics/vascap/fast_facts/HemoD.PDF | | | “Most people have the type of hemoglobin called hemoglobin A (also called normal or adult hemoglobin). However there are many different types of hemoglobin found in people throughout the world. Hemoglobin D is one type; sickle hemoglobin is another type.”- University of Rochester Medical Center, Division of Genetics, http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/genetics/brochures/pdf/hbdbro1.pdf |
COMPLICATIONS ARISING FROM HEMOGLOBIN D Carriers of hemoglobin D are at little risk themselves, but if they should have children with other carriers, there is a 25 percent chance that their children will have either sickle cell disease, or milder variants known as hemoglobin SD or just be carriers of the trait. The University of Rochester’s Medical Center, Division of Genetics, explains it this way: “If you and your partner have hemoglobin D trait, there is a 25% chance with each pregnancy that your child will inherit both hemoglobin D genes and have homozygous hemoglobin D. Homozygous hemoglobin D is not associated with health problems. You should not be concerned for your own health, but if your partner has sickle cell trait, there is a 25% chance with each pregnancy that your child will have hemoglobin SD disease, which can be serious. A person with hemoglobin SD disease may suffer from anemia and bouts of pain called crises. These crises can occur without warning, affect any part of the body and last hours or days. There may also be problems with frequent infections and unexplained fevers. Daily doses of penicillin and folic acid are required.”- University of Rochester Medical Center, Division of Genetics, http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/genetics/brochures/pdf/hbdbro1.pdf |
RACIAL LINK TO INCIDENCE OF HEMOGLOBIN D “Hemoglobin D is uncommon in North America, occurring in less than 1 of 5000 persons. In the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, approximately 3 percent of the populations have the hemoglobin D Trait. This trait is more common in people of English, Irish, or Scotch ancestry than in those of other ethnic groups.” - The Virginia Sickle Cell Awareness Program (VASCAP), http://views.vcu.edu/pediatrics/vascap/fast_facts/HemoD.PDF | | | “Hemoglobin D is found in people whose ancestors come from Pakistan and Northwestern India and occasionally Europeans, especially the British and Irish” – University of Rochester Medical Center, Division of Genetics, http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/genetics/brochures/pdf/hbdbro1.pdf |
HEMOGLOBIN D CAME TO BRITAIN WITH RACIAL MIXING “This trait is more common in people of English, Irish or Scotch ancestry than in those of other ethnic groups. The high frequency of hemoglobin D Trait in this population is believed to reflect the large number of Indian wives brought home to England by British troops during Britain's long occupation of India.” - The Virginia Sickle Cell Awareness Program (VASCAP), http://views.vcu.edu/pediatrics/vascap/fast_facts/HemoD.PDF |
The proof is thus clear that during the colonial era, (circa 1850 -1950) racial mixing between soldiers in the British Army and Indians took place. Like sickle cell disease, Hemoglobin D was transferred to a White population through interracial contact.
Chapter 28 Main Contents Page All material (c) copyright Ostara Publications, 1999. Re-use for commercial purposes strictly forbidden. |