constanze:
I tried, but get only this thread, no PubMed. Spelling mistake?
Is this the genetic defect that Asians also have, where the processing of alcohol is impaired (leading to flushed faces)? I always heard that because the Native Americans - at least partly* - are related to Asians, via the Bering Strait way, also have this genetic enzyme manufacture problem, which was not a problem as long as they were drinking mild corn beer, but got a problem with the high-alcohol gin and whiskey from the whites.
*I think it was a BBC documentary where they showed, with DNA tests and stone tools, that at least some Native Americans came across from some area in France - same stone tool technique, which has its own name - following along the ice floes in the sea, using kayaks like the Eskimos, hunting and eating seals and fish. It turned out to be a political problem for several of the tribes, however, who didn’t want to be related in any way with whites, even if it was 5 000 years ago, and DNA proved it.
Sorry, I should have just provided links. The .pdf studies I was referring to are: Aldehyde dehydrogenase polymorphism in North American, South American, and Mexican Indian populations (Am J Hum Genet. 1986 March; 38(3): 395–399), Genetic Approaches to Addiction: genes and alcohol. (Addiction. 2008 September ; 103(9): 1414–1428.), and Variations in ADH and ALDH in Southwest California Indians. (Alcohol Res Health. 2007;30(1):14-7) (Not a .pdf) This article, ADH and ALDH genotypes in relation to alcohol metabolic rate and sensitivity . (Alcohol Alcohol Suppl. 1994;2:59-65.) (Pdf.) looks like it might be interesting too, if unrelated to the question of ADH/ALDH deficiency in Native Americans, but I haven’t read it.
Obviously, these studies weren’t meant to be a complete survey of the literature, rather I found their Discussion sections a useful starting point for familiarizing myself with the question, as well as providing me with further references in case I wanted to learn more. It’s a fascinating topic.
Indian reservations are a very good idea. You never know when you are going to need an indian.