Risk of Severe Coronavirus Linked to Neanderthal Genes From 60,000 Years Ago

[Mary Wilson]

TESSA KOUMOUNDOUROS

1 OCTOBER 2020

... A resulting stretch of Neanderthal DNA spread far through our populations as it was passed down through the generations, even while the Neanderthals themselves became extinct. Around 50 percent of the people in South Asia and 16 percent of people in Europe now carry this length of DNA, which scientists have now linked to the most severe form of COVID-19. ...

https://www.sciencealert.com/severe...o-neanderthal-genes-from-60-000-years-ago/amp

 

[Emily]

Very interesting that the gene risk is absent in Africa. Could be part of why the continent has been spared. But since Americans with African heritage are at risk, environment must be a big factor, too, and not just in terms of poverty.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2818-3