The Making of the Fittest: Got Lactase? The Co-evolution of Genes and Culture

People wrapped in cloth holding walking sticks, herding a large herd of bovine. Caption: people started domesticating animals for food,

Human babies drink milk; it's the food especially provided for them by their mothers. Various cultures have also added the milk of other mammals to their diet, and adults think nothing of downing a glass of cows' milk. But worldwide, only a third of adults can actually digest lactose, the sugar in milk. Human geneticist Spencer Wells tracks down the genetic changes associated with the ability to digest lactose as adults. Combining genetics, chemistry, and anthropology, this story provides a compelling example of the co-evolution of human genes and human culture.

(Source: DCMP)

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  • The Making of the Fittest: Got Lactase? The Co-evolution of Genes and Culture

    Type:
    Video
    Format:
    Streaming
    Accommodations:
    English Audio Descriptions - Visual, English Captions - Auditory, Spanish Audio Descriptions - Visual, Spanish Captions - Auditory
    Languages:
    English, Spanish
    License:
    OER
    Author:
    Howard Hughes Medical Institute
    Length:
    15 minutes