health
Red hair gene favoured by natural selection over last 10,000 years, study finds
Scientists who analysed nearly 16,000 ancient remains suggest red hair and fair skin is favoured for vitamin D production
TL;DR
- A large genetics study analyzed DNA from nearly 16,000 ancient human remains and over 6,000 living individuals.
- The study found compelling evidence that human biological evolution has continued actively.
- Genes linked to red hair, fair skin, susceptibility to coeliac disease, and variants that lower the chance of diabetes, baldness, and rheumatoid arthritis have become more common.
- Evolutionary selection has driven the spread or decline of hundreds of genes in West Eurasia, accelerating since the transition to farming.
- Genes for red hair and fair skin may have been beneficial for vitamin D synthesis in low-sunlight regions.
- A mutation increasing the risk of coeliac disease became more common, possibly offering protection against certain pathogens.
- Negative selection was found for genes promoting high body-fat percentage, supporting the 'thrifty genes' hypothesis.