Lactose Intolerance and Gene Regulation
Do you know someone who is lactose intolerant? What causes lactose tolerance and intolerance?
It turns out that lactose tolerance is a fascinating example of how humans evolved a new trait to take advantage of a new food source. It resulted from a change in the way a gene is regulated.
A two-paneled illustration: on the left is a baby and a container of milk labeled lactose tolerant can digest milk, on the right is a young man and a crossed-out milk container labeled lactose intolerant can't digest milk.
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