Genetic Population

[Jprime]

Does anyone here know how many humans are necessary for an inbreeding-free, stable genetic population?

[GuyFromOH]

From what i can remember, I think it's somewhere around 100. It's been brought up before in a lot of space-colonizing scifi shows, including ST:TNG, and I think even in a James Bond movie. I think the more the better, but with 100 (probably 96) by the time you are mating with relatives, they are so far away on the family tree that the genetic pool doesn't start getting shallow.

[Madeleine]

I remember reading that thirty of each sex was the bare minimum. I can't remember if there were any stipulations such as needing the sixty to be from diverse ethnic groups or needing them all to be above-average healthwise.

[ShadowMaat]

Well, after a while the ethnic groups would sort of blend out, wouldn't they? And you'd get a sort of homogenized skin tone... with shadings to either end of the scale, of course. But that would probably be a big "eventually" and assuming that folks didn't do something stupid like try and stick ONLY to their ethnic group...

[Vala]

I heard 500 would be good for a diverse population

[Jprime]

Ok thanks guys!

[Madeleine]

It would help for them to be of different ethnic groups, although not so much because of skn colour. There are genetic characteristics common to some parts of the world and not to others; blood types, build and resistance to certain diseases for instance. It would be good to have a variety of those localised traits within the group in case any turn out to have survival benefits for the population in their (presumably) new habitat.

[5aret]

I think you need about 500 for a stable population and they have to be of
the same blood type.

[SGSlugger]

The same blood type? That's a little strict, don't you think?

If you were starting a colony or something, you would probably have to have a wide diversity of people.

[ShadowMaat]

I should think they'd need to be of DIFFERENT blood types. What if someone needed a transfusion or something?? You can't give an A-neg person B-pos blood. People of different blood types marry and have kids all the time. It's good for genetic diversity and all. Having all of one blood type would, I think, weaken the race. And it's taking genetic purity just a little TOO far.

[5aret]

I was just repeating what I have heard somewhere. Know that I think about it, a colony would have to be made up of diffrent blood types.

[Jprime]

a good idea would be to bring a larger number of O blood type because they can give transfusions to ANYONE (with iron based human blood.

[ShadowMaat]

a good idea would be to bring a larger number of O blood type because they can give transfusions to ANYONE (with iron based human blood.

O-negative, yes. They're universal donors. O-positive is another story. I think...

I'm o-neg, myself, but I don't weigh enough to donate blood. Stupid rules.

[Nolamom]

I'd say gain a little weight, but then, being small and fiesty suits you! I'm A negative and the hubster if something positive. The only problem is with the Rh factor (neg/pos). When you have children and the mother is negative, if the baby is postive the mother builds up antibodies to the child. No problem with the first, but if a second is born who is also negative, it can lead to huge problems (up to and including a complete tranfusion for the infant)

[Vala]

I think you need about 500 for a stable population and they have to be of
the same blood type.

That was on sliders and that was only because the dude needed the strict blood sampels for his dissorder.