In a groundbreaking revelation, researchers from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) have challenged the accuracy of previous genomic studies on individuals with European ancestry.
The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights the oversight of treating Europeans as a genetically homogenous group in large-scale studies. By acknowledging mixed genetic lineages, known as admixture, the NHGRI team discovered that inferred connections between a genomic variant influencing lactose digestion and traits like height and cholesterol levels may be invalid.
Lead author Daniel Shriner, Ph.D., emphasizes the need to reevaluate prior genome-wide association studies, urging researchers to account for admixture in their analyses. The findings underscore the intricate genetic diversity within European populations, prompting a more nuanced approach to deciphering the links between genomic variants and traits.
For more information, visit: genome.gov.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
