Those who survived the Black Death included medieval Londoners and Danes who carried a specific genetic variant.
The Black Death, a devastating pandemic, affected populations differently. Recent research has shed light on genetic factors that may have contributed to survival.
Genetic Advantage in Medieval Londoners and Danes
- A study revealed that medieval Londoners and Danes possessing a particular variant of the ERAP2 gene were twice as likely to survive the Black Death. (Reference: 20-Feb-2024 study)
- By the late 14th century, a significant proportion of these populations carried this protective variant:
- 50% of Londoners
- 70% of Danes
- This suggests a selective advantage conferred by the gene variant during the plague.
Further Research Needed
While this finding is significant, researchers emphasize that more investigation is required to fully understand the complexities of Black Death survival and the role of ERAP2.
