How natural selection has led to more redheads than ever
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- A new study published in Nature reveals that humans have been continuously evolving traits like red hair through natural selection, challenging previous beliefs that directional selection was rare in humans.
- Researchers analyzed DNA from over 10,000 ancient human remains across Europe and Asia, alongside thousands of modern sequences, identifying 479 genetic variations significantly influenced by natural selection since the Ice Age.
- Traits affected include fair skin, red hair, disease risks such as celiac and Crohn’s disease, immunity to HIV, and lower risks of male baldness, alcoholism, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
- The study highlights how environmental and lifestyle changes, like the shift from hunter-gatherer to farming, accelerated genetic adaptations, some of which are still present in over 60% of the population today.
- Researchers aim to expand this work to other regions like East Asia and East Africa to uncover more genetic insights that could improve understanding of health, disease, and potential treatments.
