The Thrifty Gene Hypothesis: Considering the Significance of a 47-year old Theory

The thrifty gene hypothesis suggests that a unique genetic profile passed down from our hunter-gatherer predecessors has contributed to the increased incidence of diabetes and obesity in particular Western populations. This highly contentious theory has been met with both support and skepticism from the research community. Debate surrounding the identification of particular \u27thrifty genes has been ongoing, and alternative theories have been presented to debunk or refute the hypothesis. I argue that such discussions have distracted from the understanding of the significance of the hypothesis, and propose some alternative options for settling the debate