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Are the pathogens of out-groups really more dangerous?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2012

Mícheál de Barra
Affiliation:
The Hygiene Centre, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom. micheal.debarra@lshtm.ac.ukhttp://www.lshtm.ac.uk/people/debarra.michealval.curtis@lshtm.ac.ukhttp://www.lshtm.ac.uk/people/curtis.val
Val Curtis
Affiliation:
The Hygiene Centre, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom. micheal.debarra@lshtm.ac.ukhttp://www.lshtm.ac.uk/people/debarra.michealval.curtis@lshtm.ac.ukhttp://www.lshtm.ac.uk/people/curtis.val

Abstract

We question the plausibility of Fincher & Thornhill's (F&T's) argument that localised pathogen-host coevolution leads to out-groups having pathogens more damaging than those infecting one's own family or religious group.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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