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Red Hair Gene Favored by Natural Selection, Study Reveals

4/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Harvard Medical School researchers report that natural selection has favored the red hair gene, possibly increasing redheads.
The study analyzed nearly 16,000 ancient genomes across 10,000 years and identified 479 gene variants, including red hair, that were strongly favored.
The researchers suggest this selection relates to the shift from hunting to farming, altering environments.
They caution against overinterpreting the findings, noting current associations may not explain why alleles thrived.

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Story summary

Harvard Medical School researchers report that natural selection has favored the red hair gene, possibly increasing redheads.
The study analyzed nearly 16,000 ancient genomes across 10,000 years and identified 479 gene variants, including red hair, that were strongly favored.
The researchers suggest this selection relates to the shift from hunting to farming, altering environments.
They caution against overinterpreting the findings, noting current associations may not explain why alleles thrived.