Previously Advantageous Genetic Variant in Artic Population Now Disadvantageous
Researchers have recently discovered a genetic variant dating back thousands of years ago in individuals that live in the Artic. This genetic variant most likely provided these individuals with evolutionary advantages that allowed them to survive in harsh and extremely cold conditions, such as being able to process high-fat diets. However, this same genetic variant also appears to result in an increased risk of hypoglycemia and infant mortality in these populations today.
Essentially, what once helped the Artic population is now harming them, as the genetic variant is only advantageous in harsh environments. The University of Cambridge's Dr. Toomas Kivislid and his team studied the genomes of over 20 individuals from Northern Siberia and compared them with the genomes of people from Europe and East Asia. The individuals from Northern Siberia exhibited variation from the other two groups. Specifically, their CPT1A gene, which encodes an enzyme involved in the digestion of long fatty acids (part of meat-based diets). This correlates with the fact that historically, Artic regions could not farm and had to feed mostly on marine mammals.
Looking for this gene among other populations, researchers found that it was present in about 70% of Northern Siberians but absent in other populations. The variant has been linked with high infant mortality and low blood sugar in Canadian Inuits, proving that an understanding of the past is essential to future health.
Related Article: http://www.medicaldaily.com/genetic-evolution-blame-arctic-populations-high-infant-mortality-low-blood-sugar-what-once-307752
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