The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are contemporary diseases of modern societies. Ulcerative colitis emerged in the Western world in the 19th century with “regional ileitis” entering the medical vernacular in the 1930s.1 Throughout the 20th century, the incidence of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis exponentially increased in the Western world including North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, and predominantly, among white individuals of European descent.2 The 21st century ushered in a new era with the advent of IBD in newly industrialized countries throughout the world.