A NEW APPROACH TO GENETIC LOAD

Genetic load is primarily based on inbreeding levels and associated congenital malformations in each population. Lethal mutations add to this “hereditary burden”. However, there have been conflicting reports regarding the impact of inbreeding on mortality. When taken at face value, a small increase in pre-reproductive mortality is associated with increased inbreeding. The conventional formula, B/A ratio, the measure of the number of lethal equivalents per gamete, is sound to be at variance; such variability may actually be due to non-genetic factors. Genetic hazards, due to mutagenic agents in the human environment have been adding up lately due to their excessive use, knowingly or unknowingly. All these parameters both of hereditary as well as non-hereditary or environmental origins can best be stipulated in human populations not only by congenital malformations but also accounting for abortions still births and related parameters like mean birth rate and inbreeding levels. This paper presents data on these parameters and puts forward a formula or an approach to estimate genetic load of a population sample. This is : GL = (Mean birth rate X inbreeding level) + Mean abortion and still birth.