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'Sea Nomads' Are First Known Humans Genetically Adapted To Diving (nationalgeographic.com)
schwit1 shares a report from National Geographic: Most people can hold their breath underwater for a few seconds, some for a few minutes. But a group of people called the Bajau takes free diving to the extreme, staying underwater for as long as 13 minutes at depths of around 200 feet. These nomadic people live in waters winding through the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, where they dive to hunt for fish or search for natural elements that can be used in crafts. Now, a study in the journal Cell offers the first clues that a DNA mutation for larger spleens gives the Bajau a genetic advantage for life in the deep.
Maybe after a few thousands years of living in space in the future, our species evolves the mutations necessary to combat the ill effects of micro gravity and radiation.
I don't think so. Genetic engineering is making rapid progress. Future changes to humanity will be by design, not through random mutations.
The world record holder for underwater breath-holding is German.
Maybe the Bajau are under-represented entrants in the contest.
Ceci n'est pas une signature.
and not heavy training from a young age?
RTF Study summary:
Using a comparative genomic study, we show that natural selection on genetic variants in the PDE10A gene have increased spleen size in the Bajau, providing them with a larger reservoir of oxygenated red blood cells. We also find evidence of strong selection specific to the Bajau on BDKRB2, a gene affecting the human diving reflex.
So yes, there is a genetic basis for part of the different abilities between races, and we are starting to find it.
I wonder if National Geographic will one day be apologising for how racist they were to print this?
https://www.nationalgeographic...