Humans in The Andes Seem to Have Evolved an Unusual Genetic Ability
Residents of the Argentine Andes have developed a genetic adaptation allowing them to survive on arsenic-laced groundwater that would typically cause severe illness. Scientists from Uppsala University identified mutations in the AS3MT gene among locals in San Antonio de los Cobres. These variants enable more efficient arsenic metabolism, helping the body flush the toxin. The adaptation occurred over thousands of years of exposure to contaminated water sources high in the mountains. Researchers confirmed these genetic markers by swabbing 124 women in the region.
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- ✓ Residents of the Argentine Andes have evolved a genetic ability to tolerate arsenic-laced water.
- ✓ The adaptation involves mutations in the AS3MT gene.
- ✓ The genetic variants are associated with more efficient arsenic metabolism.
- ✓ Residents of San Antonio de los Cobres in Argentina possess these AS3MT variants.
What changed
Uppsala University scientists identified specific AS3MT gene variants in San Antonio de los Cobres residents that improve arsenic metabolism.
Live updates
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Argentine Andes Residents Evolved Genetic Resistance to Arsenic
Residents of the Argentine Andes have developed a genetic adaptation allowing them to survive on arsenic-laced groundwater that would typically cause severe illness. Scientists from Uppsala University identified mutations in the AS3MT gene among locals in San Antonio de los Cobres. These variants enable more efficient arsenic metabolism, helping the body flush the toxin. The adaptation occurred over thousands of years of exposure to contaminated water sources high in the mountains. Researchers confirmed these genetic markers by swabbing 124 women in the region.
Why it matters
Arsenic is a potent toxin that usually causes death or serious illness in humans. This discovery demonstrates how extreme environmental pressures can drive rapid human evolution. It highlights the relationship between local geology and genetic survival mechanisms.
What is confirmed
- Residents of the Argentine Andes have evolved a genetic ability to tolerate arsenic-laced water.
- The adaptation involves mutations in the AS3MT gene.
- The genetic variants are associated with more efficient arsenic metabolism.
- Residents of San Antonio de los Cobres in Argentina possess these AS3MT variants.
Still unconfirmed
- Researchers swabbed 124 women to find gene variants that flush arsenic from the body.
What to watch next
- Peer review of the Uppsala University study results.
- Testing for similar AS3MT mutations in other high-altitude populations with arsenic exposure.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (13)
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- ScienceAlert — Humans in The Andes Seem to Have Evolved an Unusual Genetic Ability
- ua.news — Variants near the AS3MT gene found in residents of the Argentine Andes — ScienceAlert
- Around Prague — Andean Villagers Drank Arsenic-Laced Water for Millennia, and Their Genes May Show It
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- infohub.kz — Andes residents genetically adapted to arsenic-laced water ...
- ua.news — AS3MT variants found among residents of the Argentine Andes
- themorningdump.com — ANDEAN TOWN DRANK ARSENIC WATER FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS
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