Living on an isolated island can increase the chances of developing certain rare genetic diseases.
This is because of something called genetic drift, where specific genes become more common in smaller populations over time.
For example, people on the Faroe Islands have a higher rate of carnitine transporter deficiency, while those in Gran Canaria are more likely to have familial hypercholesterolaemia.
Understanding these patterns can help us find ways to prevent and treat these diseases in isolated communities.