ON THE LINKAGE RELATIONS OF THE GENES FOR ALLERGIC DISEASE AND THE GENES DETERMINING THE BLOOD GROUPS, MN TYPES AND EYE COLOUR IN MAN

Abstract

The articles published by the Annals of Eugenics (1925–1954) have been made available online as an historical archive intended for scholarly use. The work of eugenicists was often pervaded by prejudice against racial, ethnic and disabled groups. The online publication of this material for scholarly research purposes is not an endorsement of those views nor a promotion of eugenics in any way.

The inheritance of allergic disease

“…An analysis of our own (5,6) family studies (66 complete families with 250 children), as well as data already published, failed to support either the simple dominant or recessive theory. The dominant theory does not explain why in more than half of the pedigrees both parents are normal.…”

Writings on Genetic Linkage in the Annals

“…Another sib‐pair linkage investigation reported that “one hundred and seventy one possible linkage relations were tested from data involving nineteen traits and 903 sib‐pairs” (Kloepfer, 1946), and an attempt to replicate previous linkage findings concluded that “no signs of linkage were found between ‘strikingly red hair’ and the blood groups ABO, MN, P, Lewis, Duffy, Kell and Rhesus, taste sensitivity to PTC., eye colour, and sex” (Hauge & Helweg‐Larsen, 1954). Another publication on allergy versus blood groups and eye color also “failed to reveal any evidence of linkage among the genes determining these traits” (Zieve et al, 1936). In those exciting times of applying the new tool of linkage analysis, it was evidently commonplace to report positive as well as negative linkage findings.…”

The inheritance of allergic disease

“…Statistical analysis failed to reveal any evidence of linkage among the genes determining these traits (6).…”