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Humanity's Genetic Diversity on the Decline
jd writes "In a study covering five different periods of history, from 300 AD to the present day, and geographically spread across much of Europe, scientists have extracted the mitochondrial DNA from a sizable number of individuals in an effort to examine changes in diversity. The results, published in the Royal Society journal is intriguing to say the least. 1700 years ago, three out of every four individuals belonged to a different haplotype. In modern Europe, the number is only one in three. The researchers blame a combination of plague, selection of dominant lineages and culturally-inflicted distortions. The researchers say more work needs to be done, but are unclear if this involves archaeology or experiments involving skewing the data in the local female population."
Come on down to Southern Ohio and you'll see just what I mean. The Shadow Over Portsmouth!
"He who can destroy a thing, controls a thing." --Paul Atreides, Dune
In the name of science, I volunteer for any experiments involving "skewing" "data" into the local female population.
If they eliminated the outliers, such as West Virginia, the average human diversity would go back to what it was in 300AD.
So, as I understand it, this was written by an unattractive British science geek as a pickup line to use in bars full of attractive women.
"Hi. We analysed the historical genetic diversity of human populations in Europe at the mtDNA control region for 48 ancient Britons who lived between ca AD 300 and 1000, and compared these with 6320 modern mtDNA genotypes from England and across Europe and the Middle East. We found that the historical sample shows greater genetic diversity than for modern England and other modern populations, indicating the loss of diversity over the last millennium. The pattern of haplotypic diversity was clearly European in the ancient sample, representing each of the modern haplogroups. There was also increased representation of one of the ancient haplotypes in modern populations. We consider these results in the context of possible selection or stochastic processes. So, you understand... you... must have... sex.... with me."
"Are you trying to tell me that the genetic diversity of Britain is at stake if I don't hop into the sack with you?"
"Umm... yes."
"Yes, then. For Britannia and the queen!"
...I blame West Virginia.
"Ask not what your country can do for you." --John F. Kennedy
I know! What a bunch of malarky. Everyone knows that North America equals humanity, not Western Europe. Duh!
My girlfriend has a very diverse set of genes. She has genes for going out, genes for lounging around the house. She often asks me if her genes make her look fat. Well, I certainly know she has some "fat" genes, but I always lie and tell her that her genes make her look fantastic! Of course, supporting this habit can be expensive. That's why every once in a while, I let her wear my genes, in a pinch. My genes are generally suited for function over form, but she enjoys them nonetheless! Sometimes, after experiencing the comfort of my genes, she swears she never going to look for new genes ever again! But I know better - her gene shopping impulses are FAR too strong...
As if those Canadians and Mexicans were even human! Sheesh!
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While you are indeed a prime example of what you describe, I don't think the issue is as widespread as you suggest.
I like basketball!!1!
I remember this game from Sesame Street. They showed 4 things - 3 were different and one was the same. Same as... uh..
I have young kids, so I watch that show like 3 times a day. I am a Jedi freaking *master* at 'One of these things is not like the other'. You cannot defeat me.
You tell 'em, Uncle Daddy!
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Why should anyone care about populations outside of his/her own? It's not natural to do so.
You can't handle the truth.
IN A.D. 2101, WAR WAS BEGINNING
(lameness filter encountered. I suppose the mods will decide if it's accurate or not. Personally, I think this parenthetical bit ruins the joke. Lame.)
Your brain is not a computer.
skewing the data in the local female population
So that's what they call it now.
When you send huge portions of your peak reproductive populaiton through the meat grinder in the span of about two generations, you can probably expect a decrease in genetic diversity. The good news about the next World War is that it will be nuclear and with all the radiation will come mutations which should help out with the genetic diversity issue.
Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
Honestly! You religious types should hush up and let the atheists run things in this lifetime -- it's the only one we believe exists, after all.
If you're right, you get to rub it in our faces the next existence. If we're right, it won't matter.
The Canadians took them...... damn canadians
When the posters fear their moderators, there is tyranny; when the moderators fears the posters, there is liberty.
Grr. Now it looks like i dropped a not and my correction is incorrect.
Okay...
IF they don't breed and the others outbreed them and then the others kill them, their decision to not breed will have been stupid (even tho everyone ultimately dies when the out-breeders ultimately starve due to overbreeding).
She was like chocolate when she drank... semi-sweet at first and then increasingly bitter.