Health Impact of the Hindu Caste-Based Endogamy On India’s Genetic Diversity, India's history of consanguineous marriages (marriages between blood relatives) the Global Impact :(
1. The Impact of the Caste System on India's Genetic Diversity Caste System and Genetic Isolation The caste system, which has existed in India for over 2,000 years, is a rigid hierarchical structure that divides people into distinct social groups. This system often enforces endogamy—marriage within the same caste or sub-caste. The traditional practice has led to genetic isolation among various groups, as people are discouraged or forbidden from marrying outside their caste. Research supports this genetic isolation, demonstrating that the caste system has indeed reduced India's genetic diversity. A 2017 study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics found that most Indian populations showed significant genetic differences, even when they lived close to each other, due to caste-based endogamy. This study used genome-wide data from several ethnic groups and showed that Indian society became genetically stratified around 1,900 years ago, coinciding with the establishm...