Saraswats, Goans and Parsis

Three groups of Saraswat Brahmans in Western India and a group of Goan Catholics ethnologically related to Saraswats were studied for various genetic markers. Saraswats have higher A than B with an Rh(D)-negative incidence ranging from 10 to 17%. All the groups have low incidence of G-6-PD deficiency (up to 1%). Incidence of thalassaemia trait ranges from 1 to 6%. Gm(1) was present in 85-87%. Intergroup differences suggest genetic closeness between the various groups with genetic distance ranging from 0.8 to 1.5. Genetic relationship between Goan Catholics and Chitrapur Saraswats confirms the ethnological and historical evidence of relationship between the two groups.
Genetic studies among endogamous groups of Saraswats in Western India.
Hum Hered. 1976;26(6):458-67.

Rh, or rhesus factor, is a blood group antigen possessed by Rh-positive people; if an Rh-negative person receives a blood transfusion from an Rh-positive person it can result in hemolysis and anemia.The incidence of Rh-negative amongst Indians is approximately 5%. Though it varies from community to community, e.g. the incidence of Rh-negative as high as 15-17% is found in Parsis, Chitrapur Saraswats and Goan Brahmin Catholics.