Genes, Environment and Health: Anthropological Perspectives

Anthropological theory reasons that, successful populations have adapted to or are continuously adapting to their environment. Environment, including physical, biotic and cultural-demographic, acts as an agent of natural selection and may result in well adapted population. These factors vary widely across geography, space and time, and thus, consequently one may have populations differing biologically and culturally in ways that reflect their history of adaptations to the local needs or stressors. WHO estimates that infectious diseases cause 48 per cent of deaths across the world among people under the age of 45 years. This is the case, when science has advanced and medicine has achieved great heights, enhancing longevity. Anthropology provides us a platform to study human bio-social variations with its perspective on evolution and adaptation. This book attempts a comprehensive understanding of health and human well being. We will be looking into both mental and physical aspects that determine health. Our perspective remains anthropological and we need not repeat that its locus is holistic. Health, beside others, depends on body constitution, determined by genes, life style and self discipline adopted by the community of individuals, the food habits and the totality of environment in which they live. This broad area of investigation is under scanner in this book. The scholars from different professions and branches of anthropology have contributed papers on some areas under discussion. The book highlights some domains of research that are contemporary and important in the present scenario. We are all aware of the fact that man made environment destruction is affecting the health of individuals. We are all concerned, not only about the survival of bio-sphere but its most precious gift, the man. Ethics and law are two very important areas having tremendous relevance and importance while providing treatment and also in planning future interventions and strategies. Gene therapy and establishment of genomic databases require tremendous human scrutiny from experts in different fields/walks of life. This work will be of interest not only to anthropologists, but also to those working in fields of medicine, health management, environmental sciences and law.