Article
Selective pressure has not acted against hypercoagulability alleles in high-altitude Amerindians.
Annals of human genetics - 1 Sept 2003
Rupert J L, Monsalve M V, Kidd K K, Tan C, Hochachka P W, Devine D V
Abstract excerpt
Elevated hematocrit increases blood oxygen carrying capacity in high-altitude populations, but blood viscosity and coaguability may increase concomitantly. Alleles of the beta-fibrinogen gene (FGB) associated with lower fibrinogen levels are more common in highland Amerindians (Quechua) than lowland Amerindians (Na-Dene). Although genetic drift could account for this, selection may have acted against transmission...
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