South Korean Haenyeo Divers’ Way of Life Linked to Genetic Adaptation

Quick Summary

• South Korea’s Haenyeo (“sea women”) are an all-female group of divers on Jeju Island known for their ability to free-dive without equipment,often holding their breath for up to two minutes.
• Active divers range in age from their 50s to 80s, collecting seafood like octopus and abalone while preserving centuries-old cultural traditions.
• A study published in Cell Reports explores genetic adaptations among the Haenyeo that may enhance blood pressure regulation and oxygen management during dives. These adaptations could inform medical research into hypertensive disorders and stroke prevention.
• Experiments indicated that all Jeju residents share some genetic traits linked with diving, though heartbeat adjustments unique to the haenyeo help them conserve oxygen more efficiently underwater.
• Researchers found this biology could be shaped by both natural evolution and lifestyle training, suggesting broader implications for studying specialized human adaptability.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The findings on South Korea’s Haenyeo showcase how environmental pressures can influence both genetic evolution and cultural practices over generations-a phenomenon relevant globally, including India’s coastal communities known for maritime skills such as fishing or pearl diving. Research into adaptive human traits may hold potential benefits for specific health challenges prevalent in India, such as hypertension-related disorders during pregnancy, stroke risks or improving cold water resilience among populations in Himalayan regions exposed to extreme conditions.

While India’s traditions rooted in physical endurance-like wrestling yogis or tribal hunters-may not yet be under similar scientific scrutiny,insights derived from initiatives like those focused on the Haenyeo point toward valuable interdisciplinary approaches involving anthropology,genetics and medicine that could benefit public health narratives nationwide.

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