Finns differ from other populations in Europe in terms of their genetic ancestry, indicates a recent study.
Europeans can be divided into two groups based on an analysis of protein-coding genetic variations – into Finns and non-Finns, reports Nature.
The University of Eastern Finland summarises the findings of the research project on its website by estimating that in comparison to other Europeans, Finns are so distinctive in terms of their genotype that they should be classified as a population group of their own.
The study analysed variations in the exome, or protein-coding, genome sequences of more than 60,000 individuals in Africa, Europe, North and South America, and East and South Asia in an attempt to identify mutational recurrences in different ethnic groups.
Analysing the genotype of Finns was not an objective of the research project, reveals Markku Laakso, a leading researcher into the genetics of type 2 diabetes and one of the co-authors of the study. Finland, he adds, stood out in the analysis to the surprise of the researchers.
“If a mathematical modelling method is used to perform a computer analysis of all of the genetic data, all other population groups will fall into a different part of the graph,” he says to Uusi Suomi.
“It's perfectly correct to say Finns are not Europeans due to their lack of genetic resemblance to Europeans. But Finns are also Asians as they really don't resemble anyone [...] in this respect,” says Laakso.
Finns have a unique genetic ancestry particularly due to two factors, according to Nature. Finns have previously been showed to have certain pathogenic variants that have not been detected in other population groups. The new study found that Finns are also considerably more susceptible than other European or Asian populations to genetic mutations that are present in 1–5 per cent of the population.
“This is why […] there are Finns and Europeans,” says Laakso. “The two can't be fitted into one.”
He reminds, however, that such common genetic mutations in populations are relatively similar all over the world.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT Photo: Mikko Stig – Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi
