This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

peer-reviewed publication

trusted source

proofread

Study reveals genetic legacy of racial and gender hierarchies

Study reveals genetic legacy of racial and gender hierarchies
Mating model. (A) Assortative mating (AM) and sex bias (SB) values that modulate the mating probabilities in a simulation example of 19 generations from the colonization of America to nowadays. The mating probability for a given couple is set as a function of the differences in the genetic ancestry proportions for each ancestry. We assume the mating probability follow a three-dimensional normal distribution. In this normal distribution, SB sets the expected value and AM is inversely proportional to its variance. (B) Ancestry proportions of mating couples at generations 4 and 7 in ternary plots (top) and barplots (bottom) based on the mating probabilities defined in A. In the top plots, each arrow represents a couple. The arrow tail and head coordinates in the ternary plots show the ancestry proportions of the female and the male, respectively. In the bottom, the barplots represent male and female ancestry proportions, linked by curved lines reflecting mating. Red, yellow, and blue correspond to ancestries 1, 2, and 3. The arrows in the ternary plot and the lines between barplots representing a mating couple are colored with the color corresponding to the predominant ancestry in both male and female, and they are depicted in black if it differs between them. Credit: eLife (2023). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.84429

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have revealed how sociocultural factors, in addition to geography, play a significant role in shaping the genetic diversity of modern societies. The research published in eLife employed deep learning to unravel the intricate patterns of ancestry-related sex bias and assortative mating, revealing how societal structures have shaped the genetic diversity of the Americas region.

"Our study sheds light on how social stratification has woven its threads into the genetic fabric of admixed populations in the Americas," remarked Dr. Matteo Fumagalli, Senior Lecturer in Genetics at Queen Mary University of London. "For the first time, we used a mating model where the individual proportions of the genome inherited from Native American, European, and sub-Saharan African ancestries dictate the mating probabilities."

The researchers meticulously analyzed from hundreds of individuals across the Americas, revealing striking differences in mating patterns between Latin America and North America.

In Latin America, the proportion of Native American ancestry for both men and women was found to significantly influence mating probabilities, shaping the population's genetic composition. Conversely, in North America, sub-Saharan African ancestry played a more prominent role in determining mating choices.

Venturing into the depths of history, the researchers delved into the , investigating how population stratification in the Americas was shaped by racial and gender hierarchies that have constrained the admixture processes since the European colonization and the subsequent Atlantic slave trade.

Their findings reveal that racial stratification intensified gender inequalities and that historically enforced mixing between led to a dilution of non-European ancestry while not diminishing discrimination.

"The study's findings hold for our understanding of the historical and genetic tapestry of the Americas. They illuminate how social stratification, deeply rooted in racial and gender hierarchies, has left an indelible mark on the genetic diversity of these populations and shaped the genetic contours of these populations, leaving an enduring legacy," commented Dr. Matteo Fumagalli.

This study serves as a testament to the transformative power of AI in unraveling complex biological questions. By developing this model, the researchers were able to quantify the extent to which ancestry-driven mating has shaped the genomes of admixed societies. AI has allowed researchers to peer into the intricate details of the genetic landscape, revealing the profound impact of social forces on human diversity.

Looking beyond the Americas, the researchers envision their approach being applied to other admixed populations worldwide, furthering our understanding of how sociocultural factors have intertwined with geography to shape human genetic diversity. "Our approach has the potential to unlock the secrets of other admixed populations worldwide, furthering our understanding of how sociocultural factors have impacted the genetic tapestry of modern societies," stated Fumagalli.

More information: Alex Mas-Sandoval et al, The genomic footprint of social stratification in admixing American populations, eLife (2023). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.84429

Journal information: eLife

Citation: Study reveals genetic legacy of racial and gender hierarchies (2024, January 9) retrieved 7 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2024-01-reveals-genetic-legacy-racial-gender.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

New insights into the transatlantic slave trade on African ancestry in the Americas

9 shares

Feedback to editors