Latin America and the Caribbean region make up one of the largest areas of the world, and this region is characterized by a complex mixture of ethnic groups sharing Iberian languages. The area is comprised of nations and regions with different levels of social development. This region has experienced historical advances in the last decades to increase the minimal standards of quality of life; however, several factors, such as concentrated populations in large urban centers and isolated and poor communities, still have an important impact on medical services, particularly genetics services. Latin American researchers have greatly contributed to the development of human genetics and historic inter-ethnic diversity, and the multiplicity of geographic areas are unique for the study of gene-environment interactions. As a result of regional developments in the fields of human and medical genetics, the Latin American Network of Human Genetics (Red Latinoamericana de Genética Humana -RELAGH) was created in 2001 to foster the networking of national associations and societies dedicated to these scientific disciplines. RELAGH has developed important educational activities, such as the Latin American School of Human and Medical Genetics (ELAG), and has held three biannual meetings to encourage international research cooperation among the member countries and international organizations. Since its foundation, RELAGH has been admitted as a full regional member to the International Federation of Human Genetics Societies. This article describes the historical aspects, activities, developments, and challenges that are still faced by the Network.

Objetivo. Establecer la distribución nacional de mortalidad por género y grupos de edad por cánceres digestivos en Colombia entre 1980 y 1998. Materiales y métodos. A partir de la base de datos nacional del DANE de defunciones por cánceres del esófago, estómago, colon, recto y páncreas, se establecieron las tasas respectivas. Resultados. La mortalidad por cien mil habitantes fue: 2,83 para esófago, 18,16 estómago, 3,27 colon, 1,30 recto-anal y 3,19 páncreas. Los cánceres esofágico y gástrico están disminuyendo mientras colon y páncreas están aumentando. El fallecimiento sucede alrededor de los 65 años. La tasa de mortalidad aumenta exponencialmente a partir la 5ª década. Conclusiones. En Colombia, las tasas de mortalidad por cáncer gástrico son intermedias y bajas para los demás. La mortalidad se incrementa exponencialmente en cada década a partir de los 40 años. Los programas de tamización deben realizarse en mayores de 50 años.

Aim. To establish the national distribution of digestive cancer mortality from 1980 to 1998, by sex and age groups. Materials and methods. Information was obtained from the national statistic data base (DANE) death certificates by cancers of esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum and pancreas, and respective rates were determined. Results. The mortality per hundred thousand were 2.83 esophageal, 18.16 gastric, 3.27 colon, 1.30 ano-rectum and 3.19 for pancreas. Esophagus and stomach cancers are decreasing while for colon and pancreas are increasing. The death occurs at a mean age of 65 years old. The death mortality rate increase exponentially after 5th decade. Conclusions. In Colombia, gastric cancer mortality rate is intermediate and low for the others digestives cancers. Mortality rates increases exponentially after 40 years old. The screening programs must be made in population of 50 or more years old.