Genetic research is not very diverse and involves medical risks

Are we all the same, but just a little different? At least at the genetic level. People have the same DNA for 99%. But the remaining percentage may vary from one person to another and depends in part on the ancestors that someone owns.

It is precisely these small fragments of DNA that can have a great influence, for example on the risk that a person is suffering from a disease or that a food is not not. can tolerate. This is why it is important that many people participate in genetics research. And there is a lack of it, say American researchers of the scientific journal Cell. They argue for a greater diversity of participants in such studies.

On a global scale, people with European ancestors in particular participate in genetic research. On average, 80% of the research population is European. Only 2% of participants have African ancestors and only 1% have roots in South America.

Consequently, Africans and South Americans hardly benefit from genetic research. A disease which, thanks to such research, can be quickly discovered in a Dutch person can be missed in a Brazilian person. Scientists have known the problem for years, but little has been done so far.

Broad Beans

Martina Cornel, Professor of Genetics and Public Health in Amsterdam UMC, supports the call of her colleagues. In the Netherlands, scientists and doctors are also suffering the consequences of a lack of knowledge about genetic diversity, she explains in the radio broadcast NPO News and Co . "For example, there was an incident with an asylum seeker who had severe anemia due to the consumption of beans.He was suffering from a specific genetic disorder that is rare in the Netherlands, but much more in Syria, if research had shown, his anemia would be

Another example is Cornel's own research, in which she discovered that the test used in the Netherlands to diagnose the Cystic fibrosis was less effective in Dutch of Turkish or Moroccan origin. "This is because this test is based on variants that appear quite frequently in a European group of participants. You can not just use this test more widely. "

Sensitive

According to Cornel, the lack of diversity in genetic studies is partly due to the laziness of scientists." People of European Origin and those with higher education are more likely to apply for scientific research because they are well aware of the importance. People for whom language is a problem and those with a low level of education do much less. "In addition, according to the professor, it is difficult to ask people about their origins.

And sometimes , people have a good reason not to participate: "In the United States, researchers have already actively contacted African Americans, for example in the context of studies with sickle cell disease and syphilis. In the end, these participants discovered that they would not be treated for their condition or that some professions would not be allowed to continue on the basis of the results obtained. They had more disadvantages than an advantage of their participation. "

What needs to be done to reverse the trend According to Cornel, scientists should consciously search for non-Western ancestors, and in the Netherlands subsidies and regulations could help." In the United States, at least 10% of genetic study participants must have a history of migration. "

The exchange of research data between scientists from different countries is also part of the solution." the research takes place in Mexico and we can also use that data, we get a more complete picture, "said Cornel." Many people benefit from it. "