Demographic Conditions for Population Genetics Studies in Poland

Abstract

Continuing the worldwide demographic transitions, particularly evident in Poland, the analysis within the current Polish population represents various models of reproduction. Unlike many other countries, Poland experienced periodic fluctuations in mortality throughout the 20th century, allowing for an investigation into the effects of selective mortality based on Polish life tables.

Considering all known demographic facts, the hypothesis on selective mortality could be formulated as follows: 1) Selective mortality does not prevail among females. 2) Selective mortality is present among subadult males. 3) Infectious diseases act as the selective factor. 4) The selective effect is observed in the elimination of individuals who, if surviving to maturity, would not reach the age of death typical for those who resisted infectious pressure between the ages of 0-10 years. 5) A decrease in selective mortality results in the transformation of relative male-to-female mortality, leading to an increase in male overmortality. The analysis of demographic transformations suggests the following research postulates for population genetics: 1) What is the relationship between earlier results of selective mortality and the recent procreation of parents at the most biologically appropriate age? 2) Until the 19th century, high mortality during the reproductive period resulted in frequent remarriages of widowed individuals, promoting the random combination of gametes. To what extent does this phenomenon occur presently due to divorces and remarriages? 3) The decline in mortality among reproductively active individuals at the turn of centuries resulted in a particularly high proportion of women excluded from bearing children due to the lack of male partners. Were there any specific genetic consequences attributable to this phenomenon? If so, is it possible that similar consequences should be expected from the analogous exclusion of subsequent males at the end of the 20th century?