Natural radioactivity and human mitochondrial DNA mutations in Kerala (India) [Elektronische Ressource] / submitted by Lucy Forster, née Kolath

University Teaching Hospital MünsterInstitute of Legal Medicine- Director: Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Bernd Brinkmann -Natural radioactivity and human mitochondrial DNA mutations in Kerala (India)INAUGURAL DISSERTATIONfor the degree ofdoctor medicinaeat the Medical Facultyof the Westphalian Wilhelm’s University of Münstersubmitted byLucy Forster, née Kolathfrom Edathua, India2004Printed by permission of the Medical Faculty of theWestphalian Wilhelm’s University of MünsterDean: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Heribert Jürgensst1 Examiner: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bernd Brinkmannnd2. Hermann HerbstDate of the oral examination: 13 September 2004Institute of Legal MedicineWestphalian Wilhelm’s University of Münster- Director: Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Bernd Brinkmann -Examiner: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bernd BrinkmannCo-Examiner: Univ. Hermann HerbstABSTRACTNatural radioactivity and human mitochondrial DNA mutations in Kerala (India)Lucy ForsterThe coast of Kollam in the south Indian state of Kerala contains the world’s highest levelof natural radioactivity in a densely populated area. It is widely debated whether thiscauses measurable genetic effects. Saliva was sampled from a total of 1012 individualsfrom 248 native families (covering 802 mtDNA transmissions). Three quarters of thesamples were taken from the radioactive peninsula, and one quarter from 3km-distant,non-radioactive islands as a control population.