Endogamy and Its Impact on Health in India

GS II-Health

Context:

A recent study by CSIR-CCMB highlights that endogamy plays a significant role in population-specific genetic disorders and influences drug metabolism across India.

Understanding Endogamy:

Endogamy refers to the practice of marrying within a defined social, caste, ethnic, religious, or tribal group, often reinforced by cultural or legal norms.

Types of Endogamy:

• Caste-Based: Common in India and Nepal, where marriage is restricted within one’s caste or social group.
• Ethnic Endogamy: Practiced by specific ethnic communities such as Polynesians and Armenians.
• Religious Endogamy: Seen in religious groups like Orthodox Jews, Mormons, and the Amish.
• Tribal Endogamy: Found among indigenous communities like the Tartharol clan of the Toda tribe in the Nilgiri Hills.
• Royal Endogamy: Historically followed in royal families to preserve dynastic lineage.

Purpose of Endogamy:

• Ensures cultural continuity and group identity.
• Strengthens social and kinship bonds.
• Maintains hierarchical structures and economic stability.
• Prevents external influences and promotes social exclusivity.

Key Findings from the CSIR-CCMB Study:

• Genetic Disorders: Endogamy increases the prevalence of hereditary diseases within specific populations.
• Inbreeding Trends: Southern Indian communities exhibit inbreeding rates as high as 60%.
• Disease Susceptibility: Conditions like Ankylosing Spondylitis are linked to genetic markers such as ‘HLA-B27:04 risk allele’ in the Reddy community of Andhra Pradesh.
• Impact on Drug Response: Genetic diversity affects how individuals metabolize drugs like Tacrolimus (used in organ transplants) and Warfarin (a blood thinner), emphasizing the need for personalized medical approaches.
• Genetic Screening: Early detection of hereditary diseases is crucial for effective management and prevention.

Health Risks Associated with Endogamy:

• Inbreeding Depression: Increases the likelihood of recessive genetic disorders and weakens immune responses.
• Limited Genetic Variation: Reduces adaptability to environmental changes, increasing vulnerability to diseases.
• Accumulation of Mutations: Over generations, harmful genetic mutations become more concentrated.
• Population-Specific Health Concerns: Genetic clustering leads to unique hereditary disease patterns within certain groups.