170. The Science of Human Evolution

Show Me the Science with Luke O'Neill

50,000 years ago homo-sapiens arrived in Papua New Guinea - It was a big change of environment and the evolution of the people there is a clear demonstration of the survival of the fittest.

Research looking at the DNA of the people in Papua New Guinea showcases two big genetic differences which helped them to survive. For one group living in the mountains, a variant which increases your red blood cell count helped them to cope with the altitude. Another group living in the jungle possessed a genetic variation making them prone to inflammation to fight off infection.

Luke explains the history of human evolution across Earth and in Papua New Guinea specifically and what these findings mean going forward.