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the matrix - Why do they need "16 female, 7 male" to re-establish Zion?



So, re-reading this:



After which, you will be required to select from the Matrix 23 individuals - 16 female, 7 male - to rebuild Zion.



It got me thinking - why exactly this ratio (and why exactly on that scale)?


Is it based on some out-of-universe scientific research for optimal seed population? Was there some in-universe explanation for the peculiar non-1-to-1 ratio?


I am fine with out-of-universe answers, but would prefer those backed by specific data (or in-universe answers based on canon material, or words from franchise workers), as opposed to pure unfounded guesses.



Answer



This wouldn't work for an actual population of humans. First, there is a concept in population biology called Minimum Viable Population Size. You typically need hundreds of organisms to survive. In a sheltered environment like Zion, the number could probably be reduced, but reducing it to 23 individuals (one per chromosome?!) would be a really bad idea because of how drastically it would curtail genetic diversity.


For example, the Major Histocompatibility Locus is a crucial protein involved in immune response. There are thousands of variants:




The most diverse loci, namely HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1, have roughly 1000, 1600, and 870 known alleles, respectively.



With only 23 individuals, the maximum number of variants (alleles) is 46--two per individual. The vast majority of our diversity would be lost, and we would consequently become hyper-vulnerable to various pathogens.


So I don't know what the in-universe explanation might be, but if it was supposed to be an out-of-universe explanation, it's wrong.


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