The idea that our old genes don’t fit our modern environment and are adapted to an environment of scarcity was first introduced as the ‘thrifty gene hypothesis in 1962 by prof James Neel.

• Neel JV (1962). “Diabetes Mellitus: A “Thrifty” Genotype Rendered Detrimental by “Progress”?”. Am. J. Hum. Genet. 14 (4): 353–62.

This hypothesis has met much criticism, at first the genes were not identified and as a reaction to this the thrifty phenotype hypothesis was introduced. This theory states that you are not born thrifty but that the early life circumstances program your genes (epigenetically) to be thrifty. 

•  Hales CN, Barker DJP. Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus: the thrifty phenotype hypothesis. Diabetologia 1992; 35: 595–601

Both hypotheses are probably (partly) right. Our genes and the (epigenetic) programming during early life are important. This is not only the case for genes related to sugar metabolism but for all physical and mental characteristics that are important for survival and reproduction. We have shown this in Ghana for genes related to the immune system; they are beneficial for survival in the adverse environment in Ghana. 

• M. Kuningas, L. May, R. Tamm, D. van Bodegom, A.H.J. van den Biggelaar, J.J. Meij, M. Frölich, J.B. Ziem, H.E.D. Suchiman,  A. Metspalu, P.E. Slagboom and R.G.J. Westendorp. Selection for genetic variation inducing pro-inflammatory responses under adverse environmental conditions in a Ghanaian population.
  PLoS One 2009 Nov 11;4(11):e7795.

At the same time, a strong immune system also plays an important role in accelerated ageing and results in diseases as varied as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia and arthrosis.

• van, Bodegom. D., May, L., Meij, H. J., & Westendorp, R. G. Regulation of human life histories: the role of the inflammatory host response. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2007; 1100:84-97.