The Chilean socio-ethno-genomic cline

ABSTRACT

Studies of the current Chilean population performed using classical genetic markers have established that the Chilean population originated primarily from the admixture of European people, particularly Spaniards, and Amerindians. A socioeconomic-ethno-genetic cline was established soon after the conquest. Spaniards born in Spain or Chile occupied the highest Socioeconomic Strata, while Amerindians belonged to the lowest. The intermediate strata consisted of people with different degrees of ethnic admixture; the larger the European admixture, the higher the Socioeconomic Level. The present study of molecular genomic markers sought to calculate the percentage of Amerindian admixture and revealed a finer distribution of this cline, as well as differences between two Amerindian groups: Aymara and Mapuche. The use of two socioeconomic classifications – Class and Socioeconomic Level – reveals important differences. Furthermore, Self-reported Ethnicity (self-assignment to an ethnic group) and Self-reported Ancestry (self-recognition of Amerindian ancestors) show variations and differing relationships between socioeconomic classifications and genomic Amerindian Admixture. These data constitute a valuable input for the formulation of public healthcare policy and show that the notions of Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Strata and Class should always be a consideration in policy development.

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Lafayette Eaton and Paul Salter who improved both the English style and genetic conceptualizations. We are also grateful to Cristian Garay. Emmanuelle Barozet acknowledges the support of the INCASI network (Horizon 2020, Research and innovation programme, Marie Skłodowska-Curie GA No 691004 coordinated by Dr. Pedro López-Roldán).

This work was supported by project CONICYT/FONDEF under Grant D10I1007 and project ANID/FONDAP under Grant 15130009.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.