this evidence invites a re-evaluation of the relevance of racial/ethnic labels

In conclusion, based on a consecutive series of patients from an urban medical center in New York City we demonstrate that a spectrum of mixed ancestry is emerging in the largest US minority groups. While consistent with previous descriptive studies, when viewed from the clinical perspective this evidence invites a re-evaluation of the relevance of racial/ethnic labels. In combination with evidence of locus heterogeneity within and between populations, this picture of extensive gene flow lends credence to the argument that the transfer of historical population labels which reflect language and other social categories onto patient samples will in many cases be unwarranted.

Tayo BO, Teil M, Tong L, Qin H, Khitrov G, et al., “Genetic Background of Patients from a University Medical Center in Manhattan: Implications for Personalized Medicine,” PLoS ONE, Volume 6, Number 5 (2011-05-04): 8-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0019166.

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