This research highlights how broad ethnic labels like "Hispanic" or "Latino" fail to account for the deep genetic diversity found across Mexico. By analyzing over 6,000 individuals in the Mexican Biobank, scientists discovered that the frequency of medically important gene variants—such as those affecting fentanyl and statin metabolism—varies significantly by region. These differences are driven not just by general European or African admixture, but specifically by distinct Indigenous ancestral groups like the Maya or Zapotec. The study introduces MexVar, an interactive platform that provides ancestry-specific data to help clinicians move toward more accurate precision medicine. Ultimately, the authors argue that localized genetic insights are essential for developing effective clinical guidelines across the Americas.

References:

• Barberena-Jonas C, Medina-Muñoz S G, Cedillo-Castelán V, et al. Clinical genetic variation across Hispanic populations in the Mexican Biobank[J]. Nature Medicine, 2026: 1-11.