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Which health risk has been linked to some Neanderthal-derived genes?
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Neanderthal
Artist's rendering of Homo neanderthalensis, who ranged from western Europe to Central Asia for some 100,000 years before dying out approximately 30,000 years ago.
Research into the genetics of Neanderthals and their interbreeding with modern humans has identified that some inherited genes may have deleterious effects. Specifically, certain Neanderthal-derived genes have been linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, particularly when individuals are exposed to a typical Western dietary regimen.1