Neanderthal Gene Variant Linked to Taller, More Muscular Modern Humans

A research article released on August 5 in Current Biology indicates that a gene variant passed down from Neanderthals could contribute to increased height and muscle mass in certain modern humans. This particular variant influences the growth hormone pathway and is found most frequently in South Asian and East Asian groups (up to 24%), while its prevalence is only 0.5% among Europeans and 2% in Indigenous Americans. An examination of biometric data from over 1.1 million adults reveals that those carrying this variant are, on average, 0.12 inches taller and 0.6 pounds heavier due to lean muscle. Additionally, these carriers exhibit traits reminiscent of Neanderthals. Interbreeding between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals took place approximately 47,000 years ago, resulting in 1-4% Neanderthal DNA in many non-African populations.