Humans are a very diverse group of individuals, and with diversity comes a lot of genetic mutations. While many may associate the term “mutation” with something negative and automatically think of harmful diseases such as cancer, there are many examples of common human mutations that are beneficial, or at least not harmful. However, many genetic mutations can actually affect health and well-being. Here are the 10 most common genetic mutations in humans.
10. Absence of wisdom teeth
The wisdom teeth are the third molars located at the bottom of the dental arches. While the growth of these molars usually does not occur until adulthood, in some people, wisdom teeth never grow. This is particularly the case for 40% of Asians, 10 to 25% of Americans of European origin and 11% of African Americans. It is believed to be a genetic evolution caused by the food we eat becoming easier to chew. Thus, the jaws became narrower, eliminating the space needed for these teeth.
