Eurasian Lactase Gene in Fulani

Updated: 2025.08.29 1M ago 2 sources
The Fulani’s lactase persistence variant matches the Eurasian mutation rather than the East African one, pointing to gene flow plus strong selection tied to pastoralism. This is a concrete case of cultural practice (dairying) driving biological adaptation across regions. — It illustrates gene–culture coevolution with policy-relevant lessons for how lifestyle and biology co-adapt in diverse populations.

Sources

The first breeders unsurprisingly selected for temperament
Isegoria 2025.08.29 62% relevant
Both cases illustrate gene–culture coevolution: dairying selected for lactase persistence in humans, while steppe cultures’ shift to mounted warfare/transport selected for a GSDMC variant that made horses rideable; the article even contrasts the much slower lactase sweep with the near‑unprecedented speed of the horse sweep.
Cesar Fortes-Lima: the Fulani out of the Green Sahara
Razib Khan 2025.07.26 100% relevant
The interview notes the Fulani lactase persistence mutation is the same as in Eurasians, not the East African variant.
← Back to All Ideas