Abstract: The genetic distances between 17 populations were computed by Nei's method (1978) and a phylogenetic tree of these populations was constructed on the basis of genetic distances by the unweighted pair-group method of clustering (Sneath and Sokal, 1963). The results of present study agree with those obtained on the basis of gene frequencies of red cell blood group systems. There is a parallel relationship between genetic distances and the geographic distances of 17 populations.

Key words: Human population genetics; Genetic distance; Human leucocyte antigen