Neanderthal DNA And Modern Humans - Business Insider
A related study published in Science,
led by Benjamin Vernot from the University of Washington, used a
different technique to draw similar conclusions. They estimate that any
living human today who is not from Africa inherited 1% to 3% of their
genomes from Neanderthals, while the total amount of Neanderthal genome
that survived across all modern populations is 20%, the report says.
The influence of the Neanderthal gene
The Harvard team found that Neanderthal genes are concentrated in
parts of modern human DNA that affect the skin and hair. These inherited
characteristics probably helped ancient humans to survive as they moved
north out of Africa and into colder environments, where things like
thicker hair and tougher skin would be useful.
The researchers also found remnants of Neanderthal DNA in modern
humans that influence conditions like type 2 diabetes, Crohn's disease,
lupus, biliary cirrhosis, and smoking behavior, but their impact on
human health — whether it's good or bad — is not clear.
