Perhaps a million years ago that humans have used fire-and in the last 100,000 years, they have learned to light it themselves. A long period of time, which supposes a huge batch of burns. Could it be that our genes have evolved to preserve us from the harmful consequences of these burns?
This is the hypothesis that three British researchers advance in the context of the American scientific congress on the burn.
It is a burn, even a minor, makes a person more at risk of developing an infection, as long as the injury has not healed. However, we are obviously the only animal to have rubbed shoulders with the fire so long. It should inevitably have had an impact on our survival rate, considering that before the 20th century, such infections were much more often fatal. But would it be possible that a mutation has made certain individuals more able to survive the infections caused by these injuries?
The three researchers, reports the New Scientisthave reviewed studies published in the past and comparing the genes expressed in burnt skin in mice and humans, and in healthy skin. They thus identified 94 genes that were only expressed during the skin healing process.
Of this number, by comparing with our loved ones chimpanzee cousins, they have identified 10 of these genes which are, in a “significant” way, much more often present with us, which could be the indication of a natural selection at work. We speak of genes that contribute to healing or inflammation, factors likely to speed up the healing process, at least as long as the burning is minor.
