The media have dubbed two small genetic mutations that cause hemochromatosis, a condition in which people absorb excess iron, as the ‘Celtic Curse’.
The so-called ‘curse’ refers to two single nucleotide mutations that occur on the HFE C282Y gene. These mutations have a significantly higher incidence in people of Celtic origin, particularly those with Scottish and Irish roots.
One small, early study reported that 91% of Scottish participants with hemochromatosis were carriers of an HFE mutation. Further studies have reported similar findings. One brave team later took on the North Glasgow heart attack register — enormous, I am sure — and found that rates of HFE mutations in Scots from the west of the country were among the highest prevalence worldwide.