They analysed the blood of persons over 60. So the amount of donations accumulated over a lifetime. But you are right, they had to donate several times for many decades.

I guess in a certain context these mutations are useful. After blood loss EPO stimulates the growth of new red blood cells. So if they lost a lot of blood these individuals probably had a slight advantage because their body would form new blood cells faster compared to the controls.

02a9a61fdc

100 blood donations! That's a lot. I used to give regularly but would be 2-3 times a year. One would have to do that consistently over 30 years. Commendable!

So, are these considered useful mutations?

science

Frequent blood donations as an evolutionary factor

100 blood donations! That's a lot. I used to give regularly but would be 2-3 times a year. One would have to do that consistently over 30 years. Commendable!

So, are these considered useful mutations?