Genetic Exchange Between Ancient Humans and Neanderthals

SOURCE www.iflscience.com
Ancient Homo sapiens and Neanderthals had genetic exchanges long before Homo sapiens incorporated Neanderthal ancestry, with multiple instances of human-to-Neanderthal gene flow over 200,000 years. The study also suggests that small Neanderthal population sizes contributed to their extinction.

Key Points

  • Multiple instances of human-to-Neanderthal gene flow over 200,000 years
  • Small Neanderthal population sizes contributed to extinction
  • Genetic exchanges between ancient Homo sapiens and Neanderthals

Pros

  • Insights into genetic exchanges between ancient humans and Neanderthals
  • Understanding of population dynamics and gene flow over 200,000 years

Cons

  • Potential implications for modern health conditions like COVID-19 susceptibility, Type 2 diabetes, and autism
  • The impact of deleterious mutations inherited from Neanderthals