Neanderthal’s Gone, But Not Forgotten
A 60,000-year-old Neanderthal gene once made us resistant to viruses, but now it may make us vulnerable to it.
Neanderthal’s Gone But Not Forgotten
Sonnet Gomes
Half of Neanderthal Genome Survives
Neanderthals died out around 40,000 years ago, but traces of them still remain. In the past decade it has become clear that Neanderthals mated with the ancestors of modern humans, producing viable offspring. Studies indicate that almost half of the Neanderthal genome still survives, scattered in small quantities among most modern people’s DNA. (The exception is those with mostly African ancestors, for Neanderthals seem never to have lived in Africa.)
Two Long Chains
Such genes have been associated with everything from hairiness to fat metabolism. Many seem to be related to the immune system, and to affect the risk of developing diseases including lupus, Crohn’s and diabetes. A pair of recent papers suggest covid-19 belongs on that list as well. Two long sections of DNA, both inherited from Neanderthals, appear to confer resistance or susceptibility to severe covid-19, depending on which is present.
New Questions
The Global pandemic of Coronavirus had raised many questions that were never asked before and needed to be addressed quicker than ever. However, one of the significant queries physicians are still wondering about is why some people are more vulnerable to this virus than others?
Counting The Dead
U. S., India and Brazil have been the most seriously affected, with over 571,000 deaths in the United States alone. Social inequalities and lack of proper health care were the major factors behind the dire situation in India, Brazil and even the United States. Moreover, the pre-existing conditions also played a vital role in outcomes for victims of such a widespread infection.
Even The Young And Healthy
But one thing was not apparent to the health professionals why even the young and healthy populations from the most developed countries of Asia and the United States are inexplicably suffering from severe respiratory infections. A recent study by a German Evolutionary Anthropologist and Japanese Geneticist explained this mystery. And the answer lay inside a 60,000-year old deadly inheritance from our Neanderthal ancestors.
A Stretch Of DNA
While interbreeding during the coexistence between modern Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals, a stretch of Neanderthal DNA passed down to the resulting babies. This DNA stretch is still there, dominant, inside part of the world population. That German-Japan evolutionary genetic studies found that the population that carries this genetic stretch is three-times more vulnerable to COVID-19. It doesn’t matter if the host is healthy and young. As long as they carry that deadly DNA stretch, the possibility of requiring mechanical ventilation in the case of COVID-19 infection is three-times higher than someone who doesn’t have the DNA.
Then And Now
Interestingly, this portion of the DNA code is used to save particular human populations of Asia from numerous RNA virus-related diseases like influenza, hepatitis C, and some severe immunosuppressant diseases. However, genetic mutation of the RNA viruses now turns this once-upon-a-time guardian angel gene set into demons. Around 50% of the South Asian and 16% of European people carry this deadly stretch of Neanderthal DNA called Chromosome 3.
Chaotic Chromosome 3
These recent findings clarify why UK citizens of Bangladeshi decent are two-times more likely to die from COVID-19 than any other ethnic group due to high incidence of the deadly Neanderthal DNA. This discovery may create a concern for the Bangladeshi and Bangladeshi descent population in Europe and the Americas. More than half (63%) of the Bangladeshi population inherits this chaotic chromosome 3 from our Neanderthal ancestors. Thus, it is evident that if the virus keeps the mutation and no vaccine is available the South Asian region could become the new epicenter of COVID-19 like present-day North America.
Conclusion
However, there is a silver lining. Chromosome 3 is one of the factors that make people vulnerable to severe respiratory issues. But if the healthcare system is adequate and basic hygiene is maintained, we still can avoid the impact of this deadly inheritance.
