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masken21 t1_j9d8hy7 wrote

In Sweden it is not that uncommon that people are immune to HIV. I know that i have seen articles talking about 15%, but i don't think any large population wide studies has been made so they are estimates.

The core theory is that the resistance mutation was developed in Sweden and that the Vikings brought the resistance with them to the rest of Europe on their adventures during the Vendel and Viking age. This might explain the high amount of resistant people in Finland, Russia and the Baltic countries today along with Sweden.

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HankScorpio-vs-World t1_j9dqf81 wrote

Would that indicate a large population crash in “pre-history” caused by HIV? Leaving only those with the CCR5 mutation to repopulate? That would indicate that HIV has been around for a very long time and have big historical implications.

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Alexis_J_M t1_j9dr6dq wrote

Not necessarily, as population bottlenecks sometimes concentrate a random mutation in a population.

The gene might also be beneficial in some other way we don't yet understand.

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Lightning_Lance t1_j9edpjp wrote

Evolution is random. Sometimes outside circumstances guide this randomness, sometimes it doesn't. (or the mutation coincides with another mutation that is more actively selected for)

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BenjaminHamnett t1_j9f1aut wrote

It’s much less random than people believe

the mutations are mostly always happening, they usually only become widespread enough to notice when a change in environment selects for it so it can spread.

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