University of Edinburgh Feb 3 2026 People from the Outer Hebrides and north-west Ireland have the highest risk of developing a genetic disease that causes a dangerous build-up of iron in the body, a study suggests. The study marks the first time the genetic risk for hemochromatosis – also known as the 'Celtic curse' – has been mapped across the UK and Ireland, despite a high incidence of the condition among Scottish and Irish populations. Targeting genetic screening for the condition to