The use of the FST statistic of Wright for estimating the effects of genetic drift, selection and migration populations, with special reference to Ireland.

The Fst of Wright has been used to examine the available blood group, serum protein and enzyme data for the world, NW Europe and the counties of Ireland. These include the ABO, secretor, Lewis, MNSs, Rh, Kell, Duffy, Lutheran, Kidd, P, Diego, haptoglobin, Gc, Lp, Ag, adenosine deaminase, adenylate kinase, acid phosphatase, 6-phosphogluconate, phosphoglucomutase and transferrin systems. The highest value was found for the Fy gene. Much lower values than those calculated for world data were found for NW Europe and Ireland with the exception of the Lpa antigen which had high values in Ireland. sigma2p was used to estimate rates of genetic drift in an Irish population and it was estimated that a migration rate of 4% would counter genetic drift in Ireland.