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Contribution of consanguinuity to polygenic and multifactorial diseases

Nature Genetics volume 38, pages 1224–1225 (2006)Cite this article

To the Editor:

A recent Editorial in Nature Genetics (38, 851; 2006) highlighted the potential of genomic research in Arab countries for understanding monogenic diseases and early-onset genetic disorders of childhood but stated that “it is unlikely that consanguinity contributes significantly to polygenic and multifactorial diseases once socioeconomic variables have been controlled for.” We think that this statement is inaccurate and could serve to discourage a very important line of genomic research in which Arab countries are well placed to contribute. The Editorial statement is consistent neither with population genetic principles nor with the results of a large body of research in both experimental organisms and humans1,2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Andrija Stampar School of Public Health, Medical School, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

    Igor Rudan

  2. Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

    Harry Campbell & Andrew D Carothers

  3. Medical Research Council (MRC) Human Genetics Unit, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, UK

    Nicholas D Hastie & Alan F Wright

Authors
  1. Igor Rudan
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  2. Harry Campbell
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  3. Andrew D Carothers
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  4. Nicholas D Hastie
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  5. Alan F Wright
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Rudan, I., Campbell, H., Carothers, A. et al. Contribution of consanguinuity to polygenic and multifactorial diseases. Nat Genet 38, 1224–1225 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng1106-1224

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