A Molecular Record of Cannibalism

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a recent article published in Science that highlights a human polymorphism providing protection against Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Kuru, diseases linked to prion-contaminated brain consumption. This polymorphism is believed to reflect a historical prevalence of cannibalism within certain populations. The article suggests that the selection for this genetic trait may be a direct result of past cannibalistic practices, indicating a significant evolutionary response to prion exposure.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of human genetics and polymorphisms
  • Knowledge of prion diseases, specifically Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Kuru
  • Familiarity with evolutionary biology concepts
  • Access to scientific literature and articles, particularly in genetics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanisms of prion diseases and their impact on human health
  • Explore the role of genetic polymorphisms in disease resistance
  • Investigate the historical context and implications of cannibalism in human evolution
  • Read the full article from Science on the identified polymorphism and its effects
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for geneticists, evolutionary biologists, anthropologists, and anyone interested in the intersection of human history and disease resistance.

Monique
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This is pretty cool, in Science an article was published which describes a human polymorphism which protects us from the disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and/or Kuru which are both caused by eating brains contaminated with a certain kind of protein, prions.

A selection for this polymorphism would be achieved by a history of cannibalism in an population. This polymorphism seems to have recorded our canibalistic history.

See:
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/vol300/issue5619/twis.shtml#300/5619/545a for a short description
or:
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/300/5619/640 for the abstract which will take you to the article if you have access.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Biology news on Phys.org
they have an interesting theory

What I asking myself is how they came up that the prion may play a role in the immunity against common conventional disease.
 

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