Mutation in key gene allows Tibetans to thrive at high altitude

[JayAtl]

The gene mutation is much more common in Tibetans than Han Chinese and may represent the strongest instance of natural selection ever documented in a human population

A gene that controls red blood cell production evolved quickly to enable Tibetans to tolerate high altitudes, a study suggests. The finding could lead researchers to new genes controlling oxygen metabolism in the body.

An international team of researchers compared the DNA of 50 Tibetans with that of 40 Han Chinese and found 34 mutations that have become more common in Tibetans in the 2,750 years since the populations split. More than half of these changes are related to oxygen metabolism.

Mutation in key gene allows Tibetans to thrive at high altitude | Science | theguardian.com

 

[Dubious]

Wouldnt be surprised ...living at that altitude, we already knew acclimatization but that was just temporary adaptation to a new environment...if over years say 2700 years yes genes will def be regulated to select for acclimatized adaptability!

 

[tranquilium]

Actually, when people living in high altitude for a long time get to lower elevation for the first time, they will experience oxygen induced dizziness that has similar symptoms to being drunk. This is because their body are used environments with lower oxygen concentration and often they reached low ground, they will get an overdose of oxygen in their blood. In fact, some historians suspect this is one of the reason some of the native Mexican civilizations never expended beyond their high plateau.

 

[American_Millenium]

This has been known for a long time....

Edit: Ah, seeing as how the piece was published in 2010 I digress

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

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