Among people of South Asian descent, 60 percent have this gene, according to the researchers. Among people of European origin, the proportion is 15 percent.
However, the gene is far more rare among people with African and East Asian backgrounds.
The Nature Genetics-studien sheds light on why the coronavirus poses a greater risk to certain populations in the UK and South Asia, but without being able to fully explain it, writes BBC.
Complex mixture
South Asia includes countries such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
According to research leader James Davies, the finding is very important. However, he emphasizes that there is a complex mix of factors, especially age, that contribute to the risk that each person has to develop severe covid-19.
“Even though we can not change our genes, our results show that people with the high-risk gene can benefit from vaccination in particular,” says Davies, a geneticist at Oxford University.
Warns
The gene is called LZTFL1, and the hypothesis is that it makes the lungs more susceptible to the coronavirus.
However, other researchers who have not participated in the study warn against placing too much emphasis on genes to explain excess mortality in certain population groups.
They want more research, and they also believe that other factors, such as access to medical care, are more important to look at to explain excess mortality in certain groups and areas.
(©NTB)
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