Gene Enrichment

Introduction

Genetic exchange between differentpopulations helped Tibetans adapt to life in high altitudes. The Tibetan gene pool comes primarily from two populations—Nepalese Sherpas who got adapted to the area after moving there 30,000 years ago and Han Chinese who moved relatively recently. Their offsprings acquired gene variants EGLN1 and EPAS1, helpful for survival in low oxygen levels, from the Sherpas. These genes evolved only around 3,000 years ago and then amplified by natural selection in the modern Tibetan gene pool. 

Source

Down To Earth, March 2014