Now, suppose that deleterious mutations reduce survival below this optimal value.
It is highly unlikely, however, that the same deleterious mutations will be prevalent in both populations after a long period of separation.
We do seem to have beaten one major problem: we've developed plants that purge themselves of deleterious mutations due to radiation.
Of 127 participants, 22 were found to have deleterious mutations.
They would still have a tremendous number of deleterious mutations, and a few positive.
It is nevertheless possible for a deleterious mutation to be spread throughout a population through the effect of genetic drift.
Three of the men with deleterious mutations had no family history of prostate, breast, or ovarian cancer.
Here the techniques to reduce inbreeding also help decrease the accumulation of deleterious mutations.
More individuals survive to later ages, so the force of selection against late-acting deleterious mutations is stronger.
Since the family has a documented deleterious mutation, standard of care recommendations include guidelines for screening and monitoring.