Genetic polymorphisms in Afghanistan.

Abstract

The gene frequencies in samples of two language groups from Afghanistan, comprising 104 Pushtu and 179 Dari subjects living in Kabul, have been examined for 24 loci. Some systems suggest greater affinity to the west (e.g. the MS gene combination, the esterase D2 allele), some to the east (e.g. the K blood group), while others are intermediate between those of India and the Orient on the one hand, and Europe and the West on the other. In general, the gene frequency levels are much as would be expected from the geographical position of the country. The two language samples are essentially similar in gene frequency, so any earlier gene frequency differences that may have existed between the language groups are no longer distinguishable. However, the amount of heterozygosity shows that the Kabul population is not yet homogeneous and that the two endogamous linguistic groups remain disparate to some extent.