Book

Genetic studies in an Amish isolate: volume 1

University MicrofilmsAnn Arbor, Michigan • Published In 1987 • Pages:

By: Cross, Harold E..

Abstract
This document is a genetics study of 9,724 Old Order Amish living in Holmes County, Ohio, in 1964-65. With regard to this study group, the author's specific research objectives are to 1) examine the demographic characteristics (occupational distribution, marriage pattersn, fertility patterns, population growth and composition, incidence of premarital sex, and sterility); 2) ascertain and characterize all cases of hereditary neurologic disorders; 3) determine the frequency of cervical cancer; and 4) estimate the lethal genetic load carried. Cross finds 220 mentally and physically handicapped individuals in 144 families in the study population; he identifies four autosomal recessive neurologic disorders previously unidentified in the genetics literature and finds new evidence on several rare hereditary neurologic disorders, including congenital nystagmus, agoitrous cretinism, and ataxiatelangiectasia. In addition, he identifies and discusses a number of well-known genetic disorders, including mongolism, epidermolysis bullosa, craniosynostosis, cystic fibrosis, hereditary deafness, muscular dystrophy, phenylketonuria, syndactyly and polydactyly, and trisomy 18. Cross finds the incidence of cervical cancer to be lower than among non-Amish women in the same geographical area and attributes this to the differences in the social customs and sexual practices of the two groups. Finally, Cross estimates that the lethal genetic load carried by the Old Order Amish population in Holmes County is comparable to that of non-Amish populations. Volume II of this study contains several appendices that were not included in the analysis. Appendix E, containing the clinical details and case histories of individuals exhibiting the genetic disorders identified by Cross, is included in this document. Test and Schedules Administered in the Field (125) is used to index in this document for information on medical testing of subjects by the author (an M.D.) as part of his research. Where specific reference to the Amish is not given, Theoretical Orientation in Research (121)has been used to index pertinent information on the history of characteristics of given diseases.
Subjects
Theoretical orientation in research and its results
Genetics
Morbidity
Life history materials
Birth statistics
Tests and schedules administered in the field
Kinship terminology
Kin relationships
culture
Amish
HRAF PubDate
2009
Region
North America
Sub Region
Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Physician
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Gerald Reid ; 1988: John Beierle; 2007
Field Date
1964-1965
Coverage Date
1800-1965
Coverage Place
Holmes County, Ohio, United States
Notes
Harold Eugene Cross
UM67-14130
Includes bibliographical references (p. 337-355)
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Johns Hopkins University, 1983
LCSH
Amish