Has there ever been a documented case of human mutation that proved beneficial to the individual?

Answer 1

Lots of them.

Here's one : Lactase persistance. Allowed the original person with the mutation to make use of milk as a foodsource into adulthood. This individual survived and reproduced.

Answer 2

Every difference you see among individuals has been the product of a mutation at some point in their ancestry. Most mutations are not beneficial and selected out but those few that benefit or cause no difference will remain within the species. These include the development of opposable thumbs and eyelashes or eyebrows. Often, the line between beneficial and detrimental isn't always clear.
Many detrimental mutations also have beneficial side effects which result in the natural selection for the mutation. This includes sickle-cell anemia. While sickle-cell anemia can possibly kill the individual when an individual expresses this gene, those who possess even a dormant form of this gene have increased resistance to malaria. In rural countries, this advantage of resistance can be paramount to survival despite the risk of inheriting the expressed form of sickle-cell anemia.

Answer 3

There is the man who was "cured" of AIDS (or at least does not have it now after testing positive) or any other person who has been able to either survive or not even be affected by diseases that will kill large proportions of people.
Ebola, for example, where some strains will kill 90% of people, the ones that survive, along with other mitigating factors, may have a mutation that allows them to survive over other people.
I guess its like how some families have diseases running thru them, that other families have a greater resitance to certain things as somewhere along the line a mutation occurred that allowed them to survive a particular thing that kills most other people.

Answer 4

Polydactyly is the unusual condition of having an extra finger or toe. While most are somewhat deformed and removed at birth, in some cases a perfectly good finger results. It's not especially useful, but it doesn't have any negative impact (except for wearing gloves), and can be useful when playing the piano, or other delicate tasks.

Just a note about one of the above answers - Africans did not evolve dark skin; Europeans evolved light skin.

Answer 5

Lets see. Chief one i can think of is the reduction in size of the appendix since prehistoric humans. Its original purpose was to digest plant matter, but, as our diets moved away from leaves and raw roots, it became less necessary and is in the process of being phased out.

The innumerable genetic variations that allow beautiful people to be beautiful, strong people to be strong, smart people to be smart, etc.

Then there are geographic mutations: Africans developing black skin, which is really a lack of pigment in the skin, thus protecting them from the heat and sunlight. The development of mongoloid (Asian) features that protected the eyes from the winds and weather of east Asia. The adaptation of the Sherpa population to the high altitude, which allows them to live miles above sea level with no ill effects.

All of these are examples of genetic mutation within the human race.

Answer 6

I'm not familiar with the details but it is my understanding that those who survived the black death did so by harboring a mutation in a cell surface antigen. I haven't read about this only watched it on the discovery channel.

Answer 7

Well, I certainly wouldn't use either Britteny Spears or George Bush as examples of beneficial mutants!

Answer 8

Mutations in the genes microcephalin and ASPM have led to greater intellectual functioning.

Answer 9

Antonio Alfonseca.

Answer 10

Lactose tolerance. Sickle cell resistance to malaria. Resistance to atherosclerosis. Immunity to HIV.