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Mutation: Difference between revisions
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== Rise of mutants == | == Rise of mutants == | ||
Some evidence suggests that there are more mutants with deleterious mutations in the human population due to a number of factors, including but not limited to: milder ecological conditions, modern medicine, smaller family sizes<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9371795/</ref> and especially due to much lower infant mortality.{{citation needed}} Given the complex nature and function of the human brain, one would expect it to be particularly vulnerable to deleterious mutations,<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23153596/</ref> which may be reflected in the apparent rise in the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders, as it has been argued that up to 30% of cases of this condition could be attributed to ''de novo'' mutations. <ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26401017/</ref> | Some evidence suggests that there are more mutants with deleterious mutations in the human population due to a number of factors, including but not limited to: milder ecological conditions, modern medicine, smaller family sizes<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9371795/</ref>, advanced paternal age and especially due to much lower infant mortality.{{citation needed}} Given the complex nature and function of the human brain, one would expect it to be particularly vulnerable to deleterious mutations,<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23153596/</ref> which may be reflected in the apparent rise in the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders, as it has been argued that up to 30% of cases of this condition could be attributed to ''de novo'' mutations. <ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26401017/</ref> | ||
Extrapolate of the rate of deleterious mutational load in mice and other organisms has led to a rough estimate of a 1% decline in the baseline physical and mental performance attributes of populations in conditions of extreme relaxed selection pressures (both natural and sexual) per generation. This estimate may be overly conservative, however, particularly in regards to brain function.<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4788123/#bib64</ref> | Extrapolate of the rate of deleterious mutational load in mice and other organisms has led to a rough estimate of a 1% decline in the baseline physical and mental performance attributes of populations in conditions of extreme relaxed selection pressures (both natural and sexual) per generation. This estimate may be overly conservative, however, particularly in regards to brain function.<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4788123/#bib64</ref> | ||