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.