Answer to Question #62633 in Evolution for Sunny

Question

(a) A gene called "PRNP" produces the prion protein. In humans there are two alleles for the gene, known as "Met" and "Val". People who are homozygous for the Met allele can contract "variant CJD", the fatal human form of mad cow disease associated with the consumption of infected beef. In Denmark, a survey of 352 individuals found that 131 were homozygous for Met, 168 were heterozygous, and 53 were homozygous for Val. Is the PRNP gene in Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium?

(b) Based on your answer in the last question what effect is the "Met" allele having on the fitness(in the Darwinian sense) of Danes who have it? Explain your answer