Possible changes in the frequency of the human ABO blood groups in Iceland due to smallpox epidemics selection

• Published in: Annals of Human Genetics
• Main Author: ADALSTEINSSON, S.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1985
• Subjects: Iceland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-1809.1985.tb01703.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1469-1809.1985.tb01703.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-1809.1985.tb01703.x

Summary The hypothesis is put forward that the low frequency of A and high frequency of O blood group genes in the Icelandic human population is the result of a selective disadvantage of A during severe smallpox epidemics. The hypothesis is supported by data from India in 1965–6, which show a marked selective effect of a smallpox epidemic against the phenotypes A and AB (Vogel & Chakravartti, 1971). The conclusion is drawn that the present‐day ABO blood group gene frequencies of the Icelandic population should be used with reservation as markers in the study of the origin of the Icelanders.