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Global Journey
2,500
40,000
60,000
Some migrants interbred with Neanderthals and Denisovans
Modern humans left Africa and migrated around the globe
200,000
A BRANCH OF THE HUMAN FAMILY SPLIT
700,000years ago
Humans diverged from apes
6 millionyears ago
Migraines
Skin Cancer
Obesity
TYPE 2 diabetes
Low Blood Sugar
High Blood Pressure
Chronic Kidney Disease
Sickle Cell Disease
Autoimmune disorders
As human populations spread around the globe, genetic changes that helped them survive in new environments also laid the foundation for new diseases.
How Illness Emerged from Adaptation
Genes that changed lipid metabolism enabled type 2 diabetes.
Genes: SLC16A11 / SLC16A13
Type 2 diabetes
As people settled in different environments, their genomes acquired new DNA modifications that boosted their survival but often came with tradeoffs.
Modern Humans Left Africa and Migrated Around the Globe
One lineage stayed in Africa and evolved into modern humans. The other migrated north, and its descendants were the Neanderthals and Denisovans.
A Branch of the Human Family Split
Genes that helped humans resist infection from the “sleeping sickness” parasite increased the risk of chronic kidney disease.
Gene: APOL1
Chronic Kidney Disease
DNA sequences that transformed during human evolution, known as human accelerated regions, may have boosted cognition as well as our risk of psychiatric diseases.
Humans diverged from apes
Neanderthal and Denisovan genes associated with lighter skin – which ensured survival at higher latitudes – increased the risk of dermatological disorders like skin cancer.
Genes: SLC24A5 / SLC45A2 / MC1R / BNC2
Skin Cancer
Genes that prevented malaria by shaping red blood cells like sickles gave rise to sickle cell disease.
Genes: HBB / G6PD / GYPA / GYPB / GYPC
Sickle Cell Disease
Neanderthal genes that helped early humans fight pathogens led to autoimmune disorders and elevated COVID-19 risk.
Genes: TLR6-TLR1-TLR10 / HLA / STAT2 / OAS
Autoimmune disorders
A gene that allowed people to metabolize high-fat diets also raised the risk of low blood sugar and infant mortality.
Gene: CPT1A
Low Blood Sugar
As a result, many people today carry a small percentage of their DNA.
Some Migrants Interbred with Neanderhals and Denisovans
Genes that enabled the body to function at higher altitudes, where oxygen levels are lower, also elevated blood pressure.
Genes: EGLN1 / EPAS1
High Blood Pressure
A gene that increased tolerance to cold also triggered migraines.
Gene: TRPM8
Migraines
A gene that likely helped Indigenous settlers store fat for times when food was scarce caused obesity and diabetes when calories became more abundant.
Gene: CREBRF
Obesity
