On December 17, 2024, HealthDay U.S. News published an article about a group of genes that influences the shape of a person’s teeth. The article explains how a study published by Current Biology found that there are 18 sets of genes that drive a person’s teeth shape and that 17 of those genes had not been previously associated with tooth development. They also believe that one of these genes had been inherited from Neanderthals. The study analyzed dental crown measurements and genetic information of the participants, and they found that the Neanderthal gene was only found in people with European ancestry. Those who were carriers for the variant had thinner incisors.
After reading this article, I find it fascinating that the genes related to tooth development have only recently been discovered. I also find it interesting that groups of people would have different gene variants and tooth sizes especially now that everyone's diets are relatively similar to one another. It makes sense that thousands of years ago different species would have differently shaped teeth for their diets, but it’s curious that human teeth have not become more similar as diets began to merge.
I agree that it is interesting individuals still have uniquely shaped teeth as most people have a similar diet at least in the sense that there are no longer hunters and gathers eating raw eat and fresh picked berries. Perhaps as time goes on and human migration continues, future generations will have more similar teeth. It is also interesting that only individuals from European descent possessed the Neanderthal tooth gene.
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