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Humanity's Genetic Diversity on the Decline

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the meanwhile-my-beer-gut-it-on-the-incline dept.

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."

4 of 285 comments (clear)

  1. skewing data by PhrostyMcByte · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.

    In the name of science, I volunteer for any experiments involving "skewing" "data" into the local female population.

  2. Some points by wandm · · Score: 5, Informative

    Firstly, the article has nothing about "human genetic diversity". It's about ancient UK population having larger haplotype diversity than the many modern European populations.

    There could be a few reasons to this. Anglo-Saxons came to England around 550AD. Also Romans had settled the island. Later also Vikings came. These plus the local population already implies quite a lot of diversity.

    Since then some lineages have been more successful, that's it. Actually, this could be considered supporting evidence for D. Gregory Clark's hypothesis that upper classes have been replacing the lower ones during middle ages in England, as reported by Slashdot yesterday, see http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/08/0 7/2221256

  3. British science geeks have it all figured out by NJVil · · Score: 5, Funny

    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!"

  4. Parent's borderline racist argument is also silly by TheEmptySet · · Score: 5, Insightful
    The parent makes several glaring mistakes in his reasoning.

    Most importantly, it is the correct combination of genes that makes a successful organism as well as individual genes. 'Mixing' of groups of people is hugely advantageous for this reason.

    Secondly, genes do not become lost when they combine with genes from another person to make a child. There is just a new combination of genes which can contribute to the whole genetic diversity of mankind. For example, we could take the idea that races should not interbreed a little further and say that people should not breed outside of their immediate family. The problem with this would be that genetic diversity could hardly ever increase, and by attrition mankind would be doomed. By separating races one creates several smaller separate gene-pools each of which is smaller than the original whole and hence more vulnerable.

    Thirdly, by separating the societies it would become genetically/evolutionarily advantageous for one race to think of or treat the others as subhumans. By this argument I claim that you have implicitly invoked Godwin's law.

    Also, I wish you luck procreating with your sister...