Article
Genetic trade-offs in fertility and longevity explain the maintenance of disease-associated alleles in humans.
Nature ecology & evolution - 1 Sept 2026
Brigos-Barril Eva, Vasallo Claudia, Farré Xavier, Morcillo-Suárez Carlos, Polo-Alonso Sara, Rodríguez-Fernández Blanca, Valenzuela Alejandro, Sarabia Carlos, Bosch Elena, Laayouni Hafid, Vilor-Tejedor Natàlia, Navarro Arcadi, Muntané Gerard
Abstract excerpt
Genetic variants that increase the risk for complex diseases persist in human populations, despite adverse effects on health and longevity. Life-history theory predicts that such alleles can be maintained by trade-offs arising from pleiotropy, yet direct genomic evidence has been limited. We asked whether disease-associated variants persist because they enhance reproduction, despite costs to health and lifespan....
Read the complete abstract on PubMedTopics
- Humans
- Longevity
- Fertility
- Alleles
- Selection, Genetic