why are certain groups of ppl affected?

[anonymous]

Why are some groups (ppl whose ancestors are from N and W Europe and ppl of Ashkenazi Jewish decent) more often affected by CF than others?

 

[anonymous]

What information are you basing this on?

 

[anonymous]

It is true that Ashkenazi Jews and Caucasians of Northern European descent are more likely to be affected by CF (1/29 are carriers). Basically, at some point in evolutionary history, a genetic mutation was added to the gene pools of these two populations (possibly around the same time in history). Since it is more common for people to reproduce within their own race/ethnicity, the disease will be perpetuated at an accelerated rate within those specific subpopulations, especially in the Ashkenazi Jewish population which also has a higher frequency of other "rare" diseases such as Tay-Sachs Disease. However, you should note that the mutations causing CF are probably different point mutations in the DNA. Therefore, the "cause" of CF in these two populations are probably different.

 

[anonymous]

The theory behind CF mutations is that it protected against the deadly diarrhea of typhoid and cholera by increasing sticky digestive mucus. One mutations is very helpful but obviously, two are not.
Julie

 

[kellimylove]

One theory I heard (don't know if it's true), is that there was a plague, affecting the stomach like a very serious flu, and people with CF since they have a thicker mucous lining were able to tollerate it and thus passed on the gene, making CF more common in a certain race. Once again, don't know if it's true, but it is something I heard once.