TOP STORY: Bay Maori in gene study | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

JONATHAN DOW

A major research project based in Wairoa will look at whether genes are behind serious diseases and medical conditions common in a Nuhaka iwi, and could help explain why so many Maori have cancer, diabetes, gout and heart disease.

Researchers from the Environmental Science and Research Centre (ESR) will combine health, lifestyle and genetic information from members of Nuhaka's Ngati Rakaipaaka iwi with their well-documented whakapapa (genealogy) as they investigate whether there are underlying ancestral reasons behind why so many have died from certain medical conditions.

ESR researchers Marino Lea, (who is Ngati Rakaipaaka) and her husband, genetic epidemiologist Rod Lea, have started to collect DNA samples from members of the iwi.

Eventually they hope as many as 3000 people will enrol in the study.

The research will help first identify the main health issues of the iwi and the blood samples will be analysed to identify which diseases have a genetic basis.

The Ngati Rakaipaaka iwi are descendants of the paramount chief Rakaipaaka, whose descendants now extend to 15 generations.

Their well-documented whakapapa and the number of Rakaipaaka's descendants alive today, estimated to be up to 15,000, would be a great help, said Dr Lea, who has a background in tracking the inheritance of patterns of disease through families.

"The limitation to previous studies has always been the size of the family and generational information."

"Over the years major diseases have been taking our people," said Johnina Symes, the administrator at Te Iwi o Rakaipaaka Inc.

"We know a lot of it is to do with environmental factors, but no-one has done a genetic study.

"Why are our people passing away? It would be good to get some answers."

Once he finds the genes that are influencing disease in the iwi, Dr Lea hopes to establish whether the same patterns are evident in the general Maori population.

He emphasised it was important to remember that for all epidemics, genetics were only one factor.

"We will look at the genes and integrate it with lifestyle, social and cultural information so we can look at all the pieces in the puzzle."

Ultimately, the research will help work out individual treatments for people. For example, someone trying to quit smoking may not be be assigned nicotine replacement therapy, because not everyone responds to nicotine in the same way.

The Leas, who have recently returned from working in Australia, have been collecting samples for the past year and now have funding from the Cancer Society and Hawke's Bay Medical Research Foundation.

A major collection of samples will begin on November 5, at Manutai marae, Nuhaka.