The explosion of the population has led to a rare gene variants began to meet more often...

Scientists from Cornell University (USA) and the University of California in Los Angeles, studying genes 14 002 people from all over the world suddenly came to a sudden and egasumu opening. It turned out that mankind has acquired in recent years new, previously unheard of mutations. And are considered rare hereditary disease began to spread everywhere.

- I knew that rare variants of modified genes appear today, but had no idea that there will be so many! surprised admitted lead author of the study, associate Professor of ecology, evolutionary biology and bioinformatics, University of California, John November (John Novembre).

And wonder what was: in most subjects were gene variants that before doctors found occasionally. Thus, in 10 621 man from 14 002 surveyed were found at least one of 12 hereditary diseases that are not considered widespread. For example, the most famous is multiple sclerosis, bipolar mental disorder (a condition of passing from manic depressive and back), schizophrenia, osteoarthritis and Alzheimer's disease. And only 3381 was healthy.

- Research conducted fifty years ago, showed that the mutant genomes had only one out of a thousand, and now five people, said John November.

What is the reason? Previously it was believed that genetic deviations occur because of high radiation background around and polluted environment teeming with mutagens. Today was added another attack. Overpopulation.

- The higher the rate of population growth, the more mutations is manifested in the gene pool of humanity, " explained study leader Dr. Matthew Nelson. Because for the last ten thousand years the number of people grew from a few million to seven billion. With the greatest acceleration happened in the last two thousand years or for the last hundred generations. Indeed, with the advent of agriculture and the industrial revolution human existence was comfortable and safe. And among billions easier and faster transmission of chromosomes from parents to children and more opportunities for mutations in the genome.

Eventually rare gene variants began to meet more often. And scientists do not exclude, that soon can appear the new types of mutations that lead to unknown changes in the human body.

Some researchers even tried to dream on "mutants". So the Professor of the University of California Darren Kesner (Darren Kessner) suggested that among the Earthmen will soon be fantastic, "people X". They will not come out of the secret laboratories, as in the famous blockbuster, and born in a natural way.

OPINION OPTIMIST

Candidate of medical Sciences, Professor of the Institute of medical genetics, author of "Mutations, or arise As malicious genes" Alexander PRYTKOV:

- Genes have the ability to change, to acquire new properties. This is called mutations. And that mutations of genes create variability needed for the evolution of living matter, the diversity of life forms.

Their causes many environmental factors, interacts with each body. This ionizing radiation, and chemical substances.

It is obvious that mutations always existed as a quite normal phenomenon. But some - useful - are fixed in the course of evolution. Other - harmful - are the basis of hereditary diseases. And the number of such diseases is growing every year. Probably this tendency will remain and next. However, it is possible that it reflects improvements in the detection of hereditary diseases and more attention to them than a real increase in the process of evolution.

By the WAY

What powers possessed "people X"

Jamie Madrox created an exact copy of its own body.

Victor creed possessed superhuman strength, endurance, sharp fangs and claws.

Kain Marco was invulnerable, could heal any sickness, perfectly seen in the dark.

Ororo Monroe caused storms and storm, was flying, withstand any extreme temperatures, read thoughts.

Fred J.. The Duks could digest almost all substances of organic origin.

Svetlana Kuzina