Naturally Selected Genes
How have we changed genetically over the past 50,000 years? According to a new study of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), around 1800 genes, or roughly 7% of the total in the human genome, have changed under the influence of natural selection.
Genes which appeared to have been selected over our evolutionary history include:
- Genes that aid protein metabolism - perhaps related to a change in diet with the dawn of agriculture.
- Genes involved in resisting infections, which would be important in a species settling into more densely populated villages where diseases would spread more easily.
- Genes involved in brain function, which could be important in the development of culture.
Researcher Robert Moyzis said:
One of the major things that has happened in the last 50,000 years is the development of culture. By so radically and rapidly changing our environment through our culture, we’ve put new kinds of selection [pressures] on ourselves.
I wish I could see what was in store for human evolution 50,000 years from now.
New Scientist, December 19, 2005
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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health
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2 opinions for Naturally Selected Genes
Christina Jones
Dec 20, 2005 at 7:25 pm
Ooh, I am glad I can’t see…I bet it is scary.
Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD
Dec 21, 2005 at 1:14 am
Christina: Shouldn’t be too scary with your beauty tips!
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