Rewriting Human History and Empowering Indigenous Communities with Genome Editing Tools.

Bibliographic Collection: 
APE, CARTA-Inspired Publication
Publication Type: Journal Article
Authors: Fox, Keolu; Rallapalli, Kartik Lakshmi; Komor, Alexis C
Year of Publication: 2020
Journal: Genes (Basel)
Volume: 11
Issue: 1
Date Published: 2020 Jan 12
Publication Language: eng
ISSN: 2073-4425
Abstract:

Appropriate empirical-based evidence and detailed theoretical considerations should be used for evolutionary explanations of phenotypic variation observed in the field of human population genetics (especially Indigenous populations). Investigators within the population genetics community frequently overlook the importance of these criteria when associating observed phenotypic variation with evolutionary explanations. A functional investigation of population-specific variation using cutting-edge genome editing tools has the potential to empower the population genetics community by holding "just-so" evolutionary explanations accountable. Here, we detail currently available precision genome editing tools and methods, with a particular emphasis on base editing, that can be applied to functionally investigate population-specific point mutations. We use the recent identification of thrifty mutations in the gene as an example of the current dire need for an alliance between the fields of population genetics and genome editing.

DOI: 10.3390/genes11010088
Alternate Journal: Genes (Basel)