In the Talana cemetery, there are just a handful of surnames. The village was founded by 11 women and 9 men, and 80% of the people now living in Talana are descendants of those 20. Their genetic lines run straight and pure, offering a unique opportunity to trace back hereditary diseases hundreds of years. "But finding the gene is just the beginning of the project," explains Dr Mario Piratsu, head of the genetic research Programme. "The project is to prevent and cure the disease." The locals have welcomed the project, benefiting from the improved health care and investment generated by the project. "It is so isolated, that it is not very easily reached by the public health system, but we have brought several health specialists," comments Pirastu. They hope that the increased investment generated by the project will enable them to preserve their traditional way of life and reverse the flow of migrants to the cities.

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