Jeff Wheelwright on "The Secret of San Luis Valley"

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    Jeff Wheelwright

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    Science writer Jeff Wheelwright contributes articles, mainly on genetics, to the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times Magazine and Discover. His hot pursuit for a genetics-related book idea landed him in the San Luis Valley of Colorado and New Mexico, where an aggressive form of breast cancer prominent in Jewish women has turned up in Hispanic Catholics. I recently caught up with Wheelwright to talk about his experience reporting and writing "The Secret of San Luis Valley" a feature in Smithsonian's October issue and his first take on the topic.

    What do you find fascinating about the topic of race and genetics?
    Race is obviously a very important theme for United States history, and racism has always looked to biology to validate itself. Genetics came along and knocked the underpinnings out from under the biological constructions of race. It forced everyone who thinks about it to be clearer about what they mean when they talk about race. It is not just a social label that captures some very superficial, phenotypical characteristics like skin color but much more a cultural history and real biological component. There are ways to group people using strictly biological, genetic criteria, but they don't square very well with conventional and historical notions of race. So the whole concept of race, the fact that it was starting to fall apart in the latter half of the 20th century, that really did interest me.

    What are the challenges to writing about genetics, and to writing this particular story?
    African Americans and race, Native Americans and race—it's not a simple thing to understand, but it's a well-beaten path in American history. The question of the place of Jews in America is a little dicier, and anti-Semitism is an important theme. The fact that Jews are a socially privileged group, and well-educated group in American society means that they've produced a great preponderance of the genetic science, so one of the interesting things was seeing how many Jewish geneticists are working on this field and what they're thinking about their work. You can look at this particular phenomenon, this breast cancer mutation, through a whole series of lenses. You have to be aware as a writer that you know those filters are there, the filter of the researcher being Jewish, whether it's a genetic scientist or a historian, and then, the subject's. You have these rural New Mexican and Hispanic—although they call themselves Spanish American—people, who discover sometimes to their chagrin that they are related to Jews. Some of them grab on to it. Others run the other way, deny the whole thing and get offended to be told that they are related to Jews.

    You say that one in 100 Jews carry the 185delAG mutation. That seems shocking to me. Is there anything comparable in other ethnic groups?
    There's the 185delAG, but there are two other BRCA mutations, which are not only characteristic but diagnostic, if you will, of Jews or Jewish ancestry. If you take the three of them together, the carrier rate for a BRCA mutation is about 2.5%. You can make the argument that it is the most widespread, potentially lethal trait of any population group anywhere in the world. The carrier rate for Jewish women for heritable breast cancer and ovarian cancer is 10 times higher than any other population group. I would submit—the study hasn't been done—that if you went and surveyed, in San Luis Valley and northern New Mexico, just women at random, the way surveys have been done on Jewish women in, let's say, New York or San Francisco, you'd find a carrier rate that was equivalent. Because they are not as well served medically, not as educated and proactive in terms of medical care as Jewish women are, you potentially have an epidemiological issue that nobody knows about. It just came up rather fortunately or unfortunately, however you want to say it, in this case in San Luis Valley.


    Science writer Jeff Wheelwright contributes articles, mainly on genetics, to the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times Magazine and Discover. His hot pursuit for a genetics-related book idea landed him in the San Luis Valley of Colorado and New Mexico, where an aggressive form of breast cancer prominent in Jewish women has turned up in Hispanic Catholics. I recently caught up with Wheelwright to talk about his experience reporting and writing "The Secret of San Luis Valley" a feature in Smithsonian's October issue and his first take on the topic.

    What do you find fascinating about the topic of race and genetics?
    Race is obviously a very important theme for United States history, and racism has always looked to biology to validate itself. Genetics came along and knocked the underpinnings out from under the biological constructions of race. It forced everyone who thinks about it to be clearer about what they mean when they talk about race. It is not just a social label that captures some very superficial, phenotypical characteristics like skin color but much more a cultural history and real biological component. There are ways to group people using strictly biological, genetic criteria, but they don't square very well with conventional and historical notions of race. So the whole concept of race, the fact that it was starting to fall apart in the latter half of the 20th century, that really did interest me.

    What are the challenges to writing about genetics, and to writing this particular story?
    African Americans and race, Native Americans and race—it's not a simple thing to understand, but it's a well-beaten path in American history. The question of the place of Jews in America is a little dicier, and anti-Semitism is an important theme. The fact that Jews are a socially privileged group, and well-educated group in American society means that they've produced a great preponderance of the genetic science, so one of the interesting things was seeing how many Jewish geneticists are working on this field and what they're thinking about their work. You can look at this particular phenomenon, this breast cancer mutation, through a whole series of lenses. You have to be aware as a writer that you know those filters are there, the filter of the researcher being Jewish, whether it's a genetic scientist or a historian, and then, the subject's. You have these rural New Mexican and Hispanic—although they call themselves Spanish American—people, who discover sometimes to their chagrin that they are related to Jews. Some of them grab on to it. Others run the other way, deny the whole thing and get offended to be told that they are related to Jews.

    You say that one in 100 Jews carry the 185delAG mutation. That seems shocking to me. Is there anything comparable in other ethnic groups?
    There's the 185delAG, but there are two other BRCA mutations, which are not only characteristic but diagnostic, if you will, of Jews or Jewish ancestry. If you take the three of them together, the carrier rate for a BRCA mutation is about 2.5%. You can make the argument that it is the most widespread, potentially lethal trait of any population group anywhere in the world. The carrier rate for Jewish women for heritable breast cancer and ovarian cancer is 10 times higher than any other population group. I would submit—the study hasn't been done—that if you went and surveyed, in San Luis Valley and northern New Mexico, just women at random, the way surveys have been done on Jewish women in, let's say, New York or San Francisco, you'd find a carrier rate that was equivalent. Because they are not as well served medically, not as educated and proactive in terms of medical care as Jewish women are, you potentially have an epidemiological issue that nobody knows about. It just came up rather fortunately or unfortunately, however you want to say it, in this case in San Luis Valley.

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    Comments (17)

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    I found out I am a decendant of the spanish inquisition (Jewish) from Spain about 5 years ago and was tested for the BRCA gene because i unfortunately have many female relatives that have had and have cancer. I do in fact carry the mutation for that as well as another blood disorder that relatively has a high percentage from spain. If you are from a background of spanish heritage, I strongly suggest one should do some more research to find out if you are really of Jewish ancestry and to also be tested for the BRCA gene. Knowledge is power and our offspring deserve to know and find out ways to prevent disease or to learn how to nourish our bodies in the right ways. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

    Posted by Hadassah Grove on August 19,2011 | 06:53 PM

    I just wanted to say that I am very impressed, as how you were friendly at the watering hole. You never let on who you were! Although in the Vally a short time, I as a Jew I felt some strange pull there. Now maybe I have a small amount of understanding. As a counselor, I should have been more observent. Shalom my friend. John

    Posted by Dr. John Cravens Sr. on March 17,2011 | 12:35 AM

    I can possibly help Nancy Powers; just email me. And if anybody would like to know the true identity of the man to whom the European antisemites gave the latinized name, Columbus (in order to hide his true origin, as they did with Copernik - Copernicus, or Notredame - Nostradamus, because they would not tolerate the idea of a Jew as having accomplished anything great, or if they would like to know where the indigenous peoples of the Americas originated, or what the Maya calendar says about the supposed end of the world in December,2012, just read my TAINOS, AZTECS, MAYAS, INCAS - A Timeless Tapestry, published by Publish America in Frederick, Maryland.

    Posted by Vince Hodgins on February 3,2011 | 08:26 PM

    I am also from the SLV (the town of SanLuis) and i am a descendant of the Martinez family. I remember watching my Grand Mother suffer from breast cancer for many years before her death at the age of 58 and many Aunts and cousins. I have been tested for the gene and do not have it. Our history, although scary(because of the gene)... is also very interesting. We are a Beautiful people. Rich in culture and family values. I am proud of who i am and where i come from. I would love additional information on your findings. thanks.

    Posted by Veronica Sanchez on February 2,2011 | 08:03 PM

    Hi, my mother is from the San Luis Valley and she had breast cancer at the age of 38, she just turned 80, and my question is where can one get tested to find out if you carry this gene, Im sure all my female cousins and family members would be interested. Thanks Karla

    Posted by Karla Hale on October 8,2010 | 04:13 PM

    Jeff, If I am not mistaken we were classmates and friends at Columbia in 1970 and 1971. Please email me. I cannot believe what you are researching. My maternal grandmother was Isabella Apodaca from Tucumcari and Sante Fe, NM I am currently investigating a hypothesis that the Apodacas were conversos. My mother's family has been in NM for centuries. I know that at least some Apodacas in New Mexico consider themselves conversos. Please write. You certainly look like my old friend. Warmest regards, Ted

    Posted by Ted Barry on October 8,2010 | 03:18 PM

    I have found your article quite interesting, for many reasons. I will say that 11 and half years ago we had a daughter who suffered a rare and terminal disease. And not until she passed away, did we get a somewhat diagnose, called the Rio Grande-Nieman pick type-c? As well as mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, both in which are rare. Although not linked to cancer it also comes from foreign ancestery gene. My question is to the author if you have had any information maybe leading to this or related issue? Yes, the San Luis Vlley does hold many questions and secrets some to what medical research is now finding? I would like your input on this if possible. thank you.

    Posted by PEGGY BARELA on August 28,2009 | 08:21 PM

    I'm a Jewish songwriter and have long been fascinated by the story of the "secret Jews" of New Mexico. I have a song called "Valley of Shadows" on my latest album, It Sings in the Hi-Line, that's about a family of secret Jews who leave Monterrey Mexico for Santa Fe New Mexico. I had the honor of singing the song in the Upper San Luis Valley of Colorado in October 2008. It Sings in the Hi-Line may be found at http://cdbaby.com/all/kgrombacher.

    Posted by Kerry Grombacher on March 4,2009 | 04:24 PM

    Wrote an article in a genealogy magazine you might be very interested...am also from the SLV. Believe it's the best article out there today.

    Posted by George Martinez on November 26,2008 | 06:22 AM

    My mother died from ovarian cancer 28 years ago. My youngest sister was diagnosed last January with Stage IV ovarian cancer at age 40. My mother's paternal and maternal ancestors immigrated from Germany/Russia at the turn of the century and settled in Rugby, ND. Myself, and two sisters (I have 5 sisters and 3 brothers, all living) have tested positive for the BRCA1 genetic mutation (5385insC). One sister tested negative and the rest have not been tested. My research indicates that this mutation is one of the "Jewish" mutations. My mother's family is strongly Roman Catholic and not aware of this connection. Can you help me trace our genetic history? Thank you.

    Posted by Venetta Morger on November 23,2008 | 11:04 PM

    My interest of this article is due to the fact my lineage is from the families of San Luis Valley of Colorado and New Mexico. I would be most interested on further information or information I can share.

    Posted by Marie Edmonds on October 21,2008 | 02:47 PM

    Stanley Hordes, who is the "godfather" of the crypto-Jews in New Mexico has written a very authoritative book on the subject of crypto-Jews titled: "To the End of the Earth, A History of the crypto-Jews of New Mexico." Dr. Hordes documents several Jewish or Sephardic Jewish diseases found in New Mexico and southern Colorado. I recommend his book to all who are interested in this subject. The National Crypto-Judaic Society held a seminar on these kinds of diseases at their annual conference held in Albuquerque in 2006. I further recommend contacting the Crypto-Judaic Society for additional information on this subject.

    Posted by Ed Vigil on October 18,2008 | 02:10 PM

    Are people from Russia or Poland included in this study? My grandparents came from Russia/Poland in the late 1800s. My grandfather died from cancer and my grandmother died from a disease that no one talks about. My mother, aunt, sister and I have had cancer. I am curious.

    Posted by Ruth Morris on October 18,2008 | 06:21 AM

    How do I trace my genetic history? I think I remember that one could do this through a program offered at the smithsonian. Is this stilll possible?

    Posted by Liza Andrew-Miller on October 16,2008 | 09:28 AM

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