Shanghai (CNS)--A special kind of alcohol and toxin dissolving gene, called the "Dukang gene," was found by scientists at the Center for Contemporary Anthropology at Fudan University.
According to the British Annals of Human Genetics, it is estimated that 70% of Han Chinese people carry this gene.
Dr. Li Hui at the Key Laboratory for Contemporary Anthropology explained that the Dukang gene is in fact a type of alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme, which can dissolve certain toxic substances in alcohol or decaying food.
Among the world's various ethnic groups, there are seven variants of this gene. Ethnic Jews have the fifth kind and Han Chinese developed the sixth and seventh variants. Later, regional contact brought this feature to Japan and Korea. Over 70% of Han people contain the especially anti-toxic seventh kind.
A closer look at ancient DNA in China showed that the seventh variant suddenly increased from almost zero in the New Stone Age to a high percentage in the Qin and Han dynasties. The timeframe of the gene mutation was thus fixed at around 2,800 years ago.
An analysis combining historical geography led to the conclusion that the Dukang gene played a crucial role in natural selection process during the expansion of the Han ethnic group during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, when the Chinese made big steps forward in agriculture. Abundant food sources gave rise to a peak time of alcohol popularity. Du Kang is the name of a semi-legendary winemaker at the end of the Xia Dynasty, who was known for his drinking abilities and is often called the inventor of Chinese winemaking.
Owing to technical limitations in the early brewing processes, many toxins couldn't be avoided. Adding to this the fact that people ate a lot of preserved food and food that had been stored too long, many people died from excessive toxins. Those who adapted to the toxins, and developed the Dukang gene, were able to pass on their genes.
Other results of the study showed that this gene has a relatively stronger genetic ability compared to others and is typical among East Asians.
