Also don’t forget the vast majority of genetic diversity in homo sapiens is found in subsaharan Africa
Much potentially vital genetic information can be found in the Congo, but also more “attack vectors” for novel pathogens
The DRC specifically is packed full of heterogeneous ethnic populations with varying levels of ethnic mixing, on the scale of 100-250+ distinct genetic groups
These groups often have higher genetic diversity between them than all “white” peoples globally
Diversity on the whole is a good thing, but can be dangerous in potentially hazardous environments (such as the close, effectively forced daily animal contact you’d find in the DRC)
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This also applies to other mammals, eg why you see so so many Bat-bourne illnesses, as they have by far the most genetic diversity of any mammal group
We have these harmless fruit bats here in Australia, but friends and family are sometimes startled when I tell them off for approaching injured or dead bats. Alive or dead they’re extremely hazardous to humans - even placid ones
Much potentially vital genetic information can be found in the Congo, but also more “attack vectors” for novel pathogens
The DRC specifically is packed full of heterogeneous ethnic populations with varying levels of ethnic mixing, on the scale of 100-250+ distinct genetic groups
These groups often have higher genetic diversity between them than all “white” peoples globally
Diversity on the whole is a good thing, but can be dangerous in potentially hazardous environments (such as the close, effectively forced daily animal contact you’d find in the DRC)
————
This also applies to other mammals, eg why you see so so many Bat-bourne illnesses, as they have by far the most genetic diversity of any mammal group
We have these harmless fruit bats here in Australia, but friends and family are sometimes startled when I tell them off for approaching injured or dead bats. Alive or dead they’re extremely hazardous to humans - even placid ones