Study finds red‑hair gene selected for 10,000 years
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- Scientists analyzed DNA from nearly 16,000 ancient human remains and over 6,000 modern individuals.
- Study identified 479 genetic variants that have been favored by natural selection.
- Genes linked to red hair and fair skin have increased in frequency across Europe over the past 10,000 years.
- Variants associated with coeliac disease susceptibility, lower diabetes risk, reduced baldness, and lower rheumatoid arthritis risk have also become more common.
- Researchers noted that red hair and fair skin may enhance vitamin D production, a possible advantage in northern climates.
- Evolution continued apace, with the study showing that human biological evolution has not plateaued since agriculture.
Why it matters: The findings confirm that traits enhancing vitamin D synthesis, such as red hair and fair skin, have historically conferred survival benefits in northern Europe, meaning individuals with these genes may have enjoyed higher fitness, while the rising frequency of disease‑related variants reshapes population health risk profiles.
