Indigenous populations in Mexico: Medical anthropology in the work of Ruben Lisker in the 1960s

• Published in: Studies in history and philosophy of science. Part C, Studies in history and philosophy of biological and biomedical sciences Vol. 47; pp. 108 - 117
• Main Author: Suárez-Díaz, Edna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2014
• Subjects: American Native Continental Ancestry Group - history; Anthropology, Medical - history; G6PD deficiency; Genetic Variation; Genetics, Population - history; Hematology - history; Hemoglobin variation; History, 20th Century; Humans; Indigenismo; International cooperation; Lisker; Medical anthropology; Mexico; Population Groups; Ruben Lisker; World War II; Mexico; Ruben Lisker; International cooperation; Indigenismo; Medical anthropology; Hemoglobin variation; G6PD deficiency
• ISSN: 1369-8486; 1879-2499
• DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsc.2014.05.011

Ruben Lisker's research on the genetic hematological traits of Mexican indigenous populations illustrates the intersection of international health policies and the local modernizing nationalism of the Mexican post-revolution period. Lisker's surveys of blood group types, and of G6PD (glucose-6-phosphodehydrogenase) and hemoglobin variants in indigenous populations, incorporated linguistic criteria in the sampling methods, and historical and cultural anthropological accounts in the interpretation of results. In doing so, Lisker heavily relied on the discourse and the infrastructure created by the indigenista program and its institutions. Simultaneously, Lisker's research was thoroughly supported by international and bilateral agencies and programs, including the malaria eradication campaign of the 1950s and 1960s. As a member of the scientific elite he was able to make original contributions to the postwar field of human population genetics. His systematic research illustrates the complex entanglement of local and international contexts that explains the co-construction of global knowledge on human variation after WWII.11James V. Neel stated his position in the context of his contribution to the Wenner-Gren Symposium at Burg Wartenstein, Austria, that took place in August 9–18, 1969 on The Ongoing Evolution of Latin American Populations (Neel, 1971, p. 563). Victor McKusick's Opening Comments on the 5th International Congress of Human Genetics, that took place in Mexico City 1976 (Armendares & Lisker, 1977, p. 133). •During the 1960s Mexican indigenous populations were sampled for genetic research.•Ruben Lisker's program connected international and national health programs.•The indigenista agenda set the local context in Lisker's population genetics research.•The use of linguistic criteria in blood sampling distinguished the Mexican program.•Latin American geneticists contributed importantly to human population genetics.