Evolution of Lactose Tolerance in Human Populations in Africa

Evolutionary genetics data reveal the history of human origins and migration out of Africa, the population history—and prehistory—of peoples within Africa, and the genetic basis of adaptation to environment, including diet. Here, we explore recent research findings related to the origin and distribution of genetic mutations in African pastoral populations, who evolved the ability to digest milk as recently as 3,000 years ago, and what they tell us about ongoing evolution in human populations.