Collection Guide
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Southeast Asian Genetics Program records
MS.SEA.017
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine
Libraries
Title: Southeast Asian Genetics Program records
Creator:
California College of Medicine
Identifier/Call Number: MS.SEA.017
Physical Description:
2.6 Linear Feet
(3 boxes) and 1 digitized image
Date (inclusive): 1984-1991
Physical Location: University of California, Irvine.
Library. Special Collections and Archives. Irvine, California 92623-9557.
Abstract: This collection comprises records
produced by the Southeast Asian Genetics Program (SEAGEP), including correspondence and
manuscripts, grant applications, research data regarding birth defects and genetic blood
disorders, literature on Southeast Asian and Cham communities, SEAGEP publications, and
video productions by SEAGEP and other health organizations. SEAGEP publications and video
productions include multilingual versions. Literature concerning the Cham (a Muslim ethnic
group from Vietnam and Cambodia) relates to an article published by Dr. Kenneth Dumars and
Chantan S. Chea, "The Cham: A Population Isolate."
Language of Material:
English .
Collection open for research.
Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by
the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or to publish,
please contact the Southeast Asian Archive Librarian.
Southeast Asian Genetics Program records. MS-SEA017. Southeast Asian Archive, The UC Irvine
Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information
about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder
descriptions, and box/folder locations.
Gift of Dr. Kenneth W. Dumars, director of the SEAGEP, 1998.
Processed by Anna Liza Posas in 2002. Processing was supported by a Library Services and
Technology Act (LSTA) grant from the California State Library.
In 1984 the Southeast Asian Genetics Program (SEAGEP) was established to identify services
for Southeast Asian communities concerning birth defects and developmental disabilities, and
conduct community and cross-cultural education. It was a four-year program funded by the
Federal Bureau of Maternal and Child Health (MCH), a division of the Department of Health
and Human Services. SEAGEP existed longer than its original grant cycle due to the continued
support of MCH and other organizations. SEAGEP was directed by Kenneth W. Dumars and
coordinated and administered by faculty and staff from the Division of Development
Disabilities and Clinical Genetics, a University Affiliated Program at University of
California, Irvine.
At the time of SEAGEP's establishment, the growing Southeast Asian communities consisted
predominately of refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and members of the Cham ethnic
group. Many of these groups resettled in Orange and south Los Angeles counties.
A persistent language and cultural barrier between Western-educated medical practitioners
and their Southeast Asian patients became apparent. Western practitioners also had little
information regarding the cultures and medical histories of Southeast Asian populations.
Therefore, SEAGEP worked with Southeast Asian communities as well as the practitioners who
would be serving these communities through seminars, bilingual literature, cooperative
efforts with other public health organizations, and the production of a video,
Southeast Asia: The Land, The People, and The Culture. SEAGEP also
collected much-needed data and conducted intensive research regarding thalassemia, a genetic
blood disorder common to the Mediterranean and Asian regions, and other prevalent genetic
blood disorders.
As reflected in a pamphlet printed in 1987, SEAGEP more specifically sought to achieve the
following goals:
- Identify specific needs and concerns of members of the SEA communities regarding birth defects, development disabilities, and inherited disorders.
- Increase education and awareness in the SEA communities regarding the availability and appropriate use of medical services.
- Investigate the incidence and prevalence of specific inherited disorders within SEA communities.
- Provide SEA medical services to SEA families affected with a congenital or inherited condition.
- Increase the use of available community resources by SEA families.
- Educate those who provide medical and counseling services to SEA cultures.
By 1991, SEAGEP had dissolved due to lack of grant funding.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection comprises records produced by the Southeast Asian Genetics Program
(SEAGEP), including correspondence and manuscripts, grant applications, research data
regarding birth defects and genetic blood disorders, literature on Southeast Asian and Cham
communities, SEAGEP publications, and video productions by SEAGEP and other health
organizations. SEAGEP publications and video productions include multilingual versions.
Literature concerning the Cham (a Muslim ethnic group from Vietnam and Cambodia) relates to
an article published by Dr. Kenneth Dumars and Chantan S. Chea, "The Cham: A Population
Isolate."
The collection materials are aranged alphabetically by document type, then filed topically.
Except as noted, contents of folders are arranged chronologically. Audiovisual materials are
arranged by format (VHS and U-matic) ,and then alphabetically by title.
This collection is supplemented by materials in the SEA Archive's newspaper clippings
vertical file.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Refugees -- Vietnam -- Archives
Refugees -- California -- Orange County -- Archives.
Vietnamese Americans -- California -- Archives
Traditional medicine -- History -- Sources
Abnormalities, Human.
Cham (Southeast Asian people) -- Archives.
Asia, Southeastern -- Emigration and immigration.
California, Southern -- Emigration and immigration
Refugees -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archives
Refugees -- Cambodia -- Archives
Thalassemia -- Sources
Medical research personnel.
Health care personnel.
Refugee camps -- Southeast Asia -- History -- Sources
Video recordings -- 20th century.
University of California, Irvine. Southeast Asian Genetics Program --
Archives