Citation
How culture shaped the human genome: bringing genetics and the human sciences together
TL;DR
Cultural practices have shaped hundreds of human genes
Reviews evidence for gene-culture coevolution in humans, showing how cultural practices (agriculture, dairy farming, cooking) have shaped human genetics. Demonstrates how behavioral niche construction can drive genetic adaptation, with direct parallels to how organizational practices shape employee capabilities.
Key Findings from Laland et al. (2010)
- Cultural practices have shaped hundreds of human genes
- Agriculture created selection for traits like disease resistance and metabolism
- Gene-culture coevolution is ongoing and accelerating