- A groundbreaking study by Harvard Medical School, analysing ancient DNA from nearly 16,000 individuals over 10,000 years in West Eurasia, reveals that natural selection has profoundly shaped modern human genomes.
- The research indicates that genes responsible for red hair, coeliac disease, and a lighter skin tone are becoming increasingly common due to this ongoing evolutionary process.
- Researchers noted that while the number of redheads is growing, this does not automatically mean the trait was beneficial historically, suggesting it might be linked to another significant characteristic.
- The study also identified an increase in immunity to conditions such as HIV and leprosy, alongside a reduced risk for diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, alcoholism, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
- These findings, which significantly expanded the ancient human DNA literature, are expected to assist scientists in uncovering new genetic factors for health and disease, thereby enhancing risk assessment and the development of new medicines.
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Red hair becoming more common due to natural selection, study shows
