Island communities, whether geographically or culturally isolated, face a higher risk of developing rare genetic diseases.
This heightened risk stems from a phenomenon known as genetic drift, where certain genes become more common in smaller, isolated populations.
Examples include Faroe islanders with carnitine transporter deficiency and residents of Gran Canaria with familial hypercholesterolaemia.
Understanding the factors that contribute to these patterns can help develop strategies for early detection and prevention.
