Keith Priest is AB negative and I am happy to post the interview he has recently granted me.
Enjoy!
1) When did you first find out about your blood type, when did you
gain interest in the rh negative blood factor and what keeps you
motivated in terms of upgrading your research?
In high school (1970s) we all had our blood typed as part of a health program. I had always had a mild interest in being AB- but no access to any information about the Rhesus Factor. I was unaware of that at that time. Only about two years ago I became aware of the specifics of the Rhesus Factor and having a more matured and experienced intellect I saw the implications right away and my knowledge on this subject rapidly expanded. Historically speaking I see no indication that any civilization was aware of the different blood types, unless I just have not yet recognized the symbols and words used to identify those blood types, although some knew enough to not allow the reproduction between certain men and women.
My motivation in continuing my research seems to have a life of its own. I really do not know where this will lead, and I certainly cannot give a satisfying answer as to why I pursue this mystery, but I am driven, as if I where born to do this, as are many others. We seem to have a shared directive that must be satisfied. What ever mission we must accomplish in the future , discovering the truth about our blood, about who we are, must be accomplished first.
2) Out of all the things you have learned researching the rh negative
blood factor, which discovery stands out in terms of opening your eyes
the widest?
That, compared to the Rh+ genotype, we are both more vulnerable to some diseases and more resistant to others, proving that our genotype is not just about Red Blood Cells. We just have not discovered the command DNA that determines the Rh- condition. Red blood cell are just the tip of the iceberg.
3) What is your most passionate area of interest?
Forming communities for Rh- folk. WE really, really need this.
4) What are you hoping to prove or debunk in the future?
I would like to prove that Rh- is not a mutation or a recessive condition since there are no recessive chromosomes, there is no DNA. This is finally being recognized in the scientific literature as I have read recently.
5) Out of all the theories and information that have come your way,
which make the least sense, which do you consider credible and
what would you like to see more information on?
There is an ugly rumor being circulated that a neg woman and a neg man cannot have a healthy child, if at all. Nothing could be further from the truth. Just as two Rh+ parents have healthy pregnancies two Rh- parents have healthy pregnancies. its the mixing of Rh+ with Rh- that causes problems.
6) Have you ever taken a full DNA test? If so, what were the results and
do you believe there has ever been a group of people in the past which was
100 percent rh negative and what sort of pattern set do you see continued
in today?s society?
I have not taken a DNA test. All the former Rh- societies, (Kariates, Berbers, Basque, Ainu, etc.) have been contaminated with the rh+ genotype. I have not seen a data base that would tell us whether these Rh- populations are increasing or decreasing. We do not even know if our own local neg numbers are increasing or decreasing. How can we get that data? Red cross estimates where revised from 15% to 7% for US Rh- percentage of population. It would be interesting to see if a group of pure Rh- folk would occasionally produce an Rh+- or even an Rh+ via recessive genes, but I have no reason to suspect that is possible. But it is an interesting question, Can Rh- carry the Rh+, or D, recessively? That would tell us much.
7) A lot of new rh negative people are coming on this blog to read information
about our blood type. What message would you like to send to them in order to
help them let go of what they have learned in order to emerge into a group of
people who are “like them” and what advice would you give to them in terms of
where to continue their research?
Most important is our shared experiences, without those experiences our unique blood would be largely irrelevant. If you take a close look at all