Abstract: The genetic polymorphism of aldehyde dehydrogenase in ten ethnic groups of China was studied by electrofdcusing.
In all populations, a deficient type which had only a slow-migrating isozyme band was found to exist with certain proportion. The percentages of deficient type were: Dong 48. 3% (97/201) , Man 44. 4% (76/171) , Tibetan 42. 6% (60/141) , Uygur 40. 1% (83/207) , Yi 36. 8% (81/220) , Hui 36. 5% (74/203) , Yao 30. 7% (58/189) , Bai 30. 5% (61/200) , Tujia 27. 1% (54/199) and Hani 25. 8% (49/190) .

Key words: Aldehyde dehydrogenase; Ethnic groups of China; Genetic polymorphism; Physical anthropology