A ǵene‐countinǵ method of maximum likelihood for estimating ǵenefrequencies in ABO and ABO‐like systems*

Abstract

SUMMARY A gene‐counting method of maximum likelihood is elaborated for estimating gene frequencies in ABO and ABO‐like systems (more generally phenogram m ‐[( m 2 ‐ m +2)/2]‐1). The present method has the advantages that the calculations in each iterative cycle is simple and that it is not necessary to invert the matrix, although more iterative cycles are needed than with the scoring method in order to attain to the same level of accuracy. Also, the problem of choosing appropriate trial values is discussed and several numeric examples are worked out.