Human genetic diversity in Asia has been mapped for the first time by a group of over 90 scientists. The scientists from the Human Genome Organisation’s (HUGO’s) Pan-Asian SNP Consortium. not only mapped genetic diversity in Asia but also traced the genetic origins of Asian populations. This was disclosed by the Union Minister of Science and Technology Mr. . Prithviraj Chavan at a press conference in Delhi.<br/><br/>The human genetic mapping of Asia has has great significance specially in further understanding of migratory patterns in human history and for the study of genetics and diseases. The study, conducted within and between the different populations in the Asia continent showed that genetic ancestry highly correlated with ethnic and linguistic groups. It showed that there was a clear increase in genetic diversity from northern to southern latitudes. The study also suggested that there was one major inflow of human migration into Asia from Southeast Asia, rather than multiple inflows from both southern and northern routes as proposed before. This indicates that Southeast Asia was the major geographic source of East Asian and North Asian populations. Moreover, the geographical and linguistic basis of genetic subgroups in Asia clarifies the need for genetic stratification when conducting genetic and pharmacogenomic studies in this continent.<br/>