In the small town of Ashford, a severe outbreak of a contagious disease occurred in the spring of 1670. The townspeople isolated themselves to prevent the disease from spreading. After a year, when they reopened their town, it was found that over 70% of the population had succumbed to the illness. Interestingly, about 30% of the population survived, with some families losing all but one member. One notable survivor, John Smith, lost his wife and three children but remained healthy throughout the outbreak. This situation was not uncommon, as many survivors appeared to have developed immunity to the disease. Researchers later discovered that a significant number of descendants of these survivors possess a mutation of a gene known as epsilon 32.

Which of the following, if true, most undermines the implications made within the passage?