Parsis To Sherpa: 9 Genetically Isolated Groups 

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18 December 2024

A genetically isolated group refers to populations that have little to no genetic mixing with other groups

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These groups can be isolated due to geography, culture, or both, and can exist over many generations. Here's a look at some of the most genetically isolated groups in modern history

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Parsis migrated to India from Persia in the 7th century. This group disapproves of marriage outside of their religion, which may have led to their isolation, per Live Science 

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Anabaptist groups, such as the Amish, Mennonites, and Hutterites, are genetically isolated due to several factors such as cultural differences 

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The Sherpa in the mountains of Nepal have remained genetically isolated for centuries, likely in part because of the forbidding landscape they inhabit

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Papua New Guineans are genetically isolated and have unique genetic diversity that can be traced back 50,000 years

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Nunavik Inuit in Canada's Arctic are genetically distinct from any known group. Their genes reflect an increased ability to metabolise fat and protein, important for surviving cold climate

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A genetically isolated community in northwest Colombia called the Antioquenos, carries a rare genetic variant that puts people at increased risk of early-onset Alzheimer's disease 

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Ashkenazi Jewish population is considered a genetic isolate due to their religious and cultural practices, which have kept them separate from other populations for centuries

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Finnish people are genetically isolated from other European populations. This is because of the differences in admixture, including Asian influence, compared to most Europeans

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Tristan da Cunha, a remote volcanic island in the South Atlantic, has been genetically isolated for many years due to its small population and remote location

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