20 ms·
Fascinating. Also entirely consistent with genetic determinism by the usual natural selection story - 9 year olds who survive starvation have bad-ass genes, etc
by jongraehl 11y ago
Fascinating. Also entirely consistent with genetic determinism by the usual natural selection story - 9 year olds who survive starvation have bad-ass genes, etc.
- Houshalter 11y agoKids were not dying of starvation, just malnourished. And it fits with the epigenetic theory because 9 years old is when your sex cells form. If it was just selection, the effect wouldn't be as strong, and should happen regardless what age the starvation happens.
- jongraehl 11y agoDying vs. merely damaged is a red herring. Interesting fact re: 9 yo => making eggs/sperm - good comment overall. "Effect wouldn't be as strong" why? Re: 'regardless of age': you can't rule out genes that influence near-starvation thrive/fail differentially at young vs teen ages. Nevertheless I agree that this is suggestive evidence for "it's not just regular genetics". Good analysis if it indeed applies to this case!