The article “Neanderthal Genes Also Decrease the Risk of Severe COVID-19” by Anna Wernick summarizes a recent discovery about the ongoing pandemic. It explains how genetics and evolution affect susceptibility to COVID-19. According to the source, a person’s vulnerability to the virus is determined by the group of genes (haplotype) found on chromosome 12 (Wernick). Haplotypes inherited from Neanderthals reduce a person’s risk of contracting the severe form of SARS-CoV-2.
For every copy of haplotype acquired from a Neanderthal ancestor, the likelihood of a person requiring intensive care after being infected with the virus decreases by 22% (Wernick). This means that people with this genetic material will be affected to a lesser extent by the disease in contrast to those without. They are also likely to recover faster from the disease.
This editorial is connected to the course content in several ways. First, it is evidence of a genetic relationship between species. It shows that certain qualities which Homo sapiens possess were inherited from earlier men (Kottak 111). The article confirms the existence of a biological connection between Neanderthals and modern-day man. Second, the source demonstrates that genetic material is the principal factor that causes distinctions among people.
The genetic makeup of all human beings is 99% similar; however, 1% accounts for the differences observed among human beings (Kottak 30). For instance, in this case, the presence or absence of a given haplotype on chromosome 12 determines how a person will be affected by the virus. Finally, the news item notes that most of the people found to have this genetic advantage come from Europe and Asia. According to class readings, Neanderthals lived in the Eurasia region (Kottak 118). Therefore, the findings are consistent with what is known about the habitat of this ancestor.
- Question 1: Why do you think these Neanderthal genes reduce the risk of severe COVID-19?
- Question 2: What predictions can you make about future research on COVID-19 and genetic factors and why?
Works Cited
Kottak, Conrad Phillip. Anthropology: Appreciating Human Diversity. McGraw-Hill, 2012.
Wernick, Anna. “Neanderthal Genes Also Decrease the Risk of Severe COVID-19.” BioNews. 2021. Web.