Overview

Prior to the 1960s, it was widely believed that all members of the species Homo sapiens possessed a high concentration of the enzyme lactase (which hydrolyses the milk disaccharide) in the small-intestinal mucosa. It then became clear that low levels (lactase deficiency - later more accurately termed hypolactasia) were relatively common. In 1966, the author of this book demonstrated in Uganda that although most indigenous Africans had hypolactasia in adult life, those from tribes believed by most physical anthropologists to have originated either in the Middle East or north-eastern parts of the African continent had PL. This difference, which probably has a genetic basis, instigated much research in indigenous communities in various parts of the world; it rapidly became clear that hypolactasia was the 'normal' state for H sapiens. In 1975 the author confirmed his suspicion that PL had originated within the Arabian peninsula - an observation which has since been confirmed and expanded by several geneticists. The mutation has apparently occurred several times in the last few millennia. However, the raison d'etre for development of PL in a minority of H sapiens remains a subject of controversy, but in some way the milk from cattle and camels, following domestication, was probably the catalyst.All these and other relevant observations are succinctly recorded in this fascinating ongoing saga.

Full Product Details

9780956059857

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Professor Gordon Cook, DSc, MD, FRCP is a graduate of the University of London, who underwent medical training at the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine. He became interested in the diseases and physical anthropology of indigenous populations throughout the world during a period of National Service in Nigeria. Following that, he held senior medical appointments in Uganda, Zambia, Saudia Arabia and Papua New Guinea (holding Chairs of Medicine in the universities of the latter three countries). His interest in the human lactase polymorphism began in the 1960s and he has since carried out clinical research in those countries in which he has worked.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available