I admit I did not remotely see this coming. Genetic Predisposition: Neanderthal Genes Linked to Severe COVID-19.
As the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, it became increasingly clear that the severity of the disease varied widely among individuals. While factors like age were recognized as risk factors, scientists also suspected that genetic predisposition played a role, as family members often exhibited similar disease severity. Now, research1 from Italy's Bergamo, one of the early epicenters of the pandemic, has unveiled a compelling link between Neanderthal genes and the development of life-threatening forms of COVID-19.
Is this going to hold up, or is this going to be some chance co-occuring factor? From the looks of it at the moment, it looks real. East Asian peoples have way more Denisovan and way less Neanderthal genes. Perhaps all our blathering (mine, too) about cultural contact and willingness to wear masks and be told what to do, etc was just crap.
Still, effect size matters.
Somebody was speculating about this over a year ago. I don't have the link.
ReplyDeleteOther factors are clearly very important.
Ah, hold on. Here's an old link