A New Study Shows Genetic Influence of Harsh Trans-Atlantic Slavery Practices
Genetics Company 23andMe recently published the largest DNA study on record of people with African ancestry in America calculating the influence of slavery as it correlates to their genes. The findings are staggering.
Records on the trans-Atlantic slave trade report an estimated 12.5 million Africans were brought to the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries in what President Barack Obama calls, “this nation’s original sin.”
23andMe analyzed 50,281 research participants, which — “combined with historical shipping documents — illustrate that the current genetic landscape of the Americas is largely concordant with expectations derived from documentation of slave voyages,” according to their findings.
Nigeria had the largest representation, which until this study, hadn’t been fully represented.
Of the 12 million who were taken, 10.7 million actually made it –2 million died during the journey. More than 60 percent were men, but genetic record shows that women contributed the most to the present-day gene pool. This was especially true in Latin Caribbean — 13 times more, and in Northern South America — 17 times more.
This study could aid in support of the reparations discussion along with the epigenetics field of study which argues that DNA and genes can be altered due to traumatic experiences, such as slavery.
For a full report of this study, click here.
