Geneticists have linked the physical appearance of humans to patches of DNA lost in the 5 million years since we shared a common ancestor with chimpanzees. One loss prevented men from growing penile barbs, which chimps possess. Another enlarged some regions of our brain.
“We can know what makes us human, what makes us physically different from other animals and why,” said developmental geneticist Gill Bejerano of Stanford University, an author of the March 10 study inNature. Only 2 percent of the DNA in our genome forms protein-coding genes. The rest, once called “junk DNA,” helps control and coordinate gene activity. Out of this regulatory coordination, physiological complexity emerges.
Bejerano’s team started by comparing the genomes of chimpanzees and macaque monkeys, which share a 20-million-year-old common ancestor. They identified regions that hadn’t changed in chimps, then compared these to corresponding stretches of the human genome. They found more than 500 mutations known as deletions, or stretches of DNA present in chimps but lost in humans.
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Painful…
i can hardly wait fer all the “boner” jokes…
Hehe “Junk DNA”. ..
If the dna was lost, then surely this disproves the theory of evolution?
As one of the main points of it, is that each generation is stronger and more adapted to survive, than the one before it???
Humans have devolved, lost in barbiturates, stoned in genetalia and becoming group melting pots – lost the key lost the theory and poisoned the plot. Animals have evolved with those humans who have adapted to survive in the 21st Century due to good parentage, good timing, good DNA, good strong genetics, good strategy- good lock and key theory! All genetics is bumpf now due to computers doing most of the work and brain capacity of humans doing genetics becoming wishful thinkers rather than disciplined evolutionists. Tad tyresome and yawning but true.
@wild one No, that’s religious thinking. The Theory of Evolution does not contain some guiding force which constantly upgrades each generation. Mistakes in genetic reproduction happen, most of which are detrimental to the organism’s survival, but some of which provide the organism with a survival advantage.
It’s also important to note that the term “Theory” here is not an indication that the concept of Evolution has not been proven. The scientific use of the term “Theory” is different to the everyday use. It has been proven, as has the Theory of Gravity.
Hang on, we’re not supposed to have penile barbs? That’ll explain why I never get a second date…
Penile barbs.. hmmmm.
Presumably, there must currently be examples of us who exhibit unique modifications that could one day spread throughout the species. Why not search these individuals out, and present them as corroborative evidence?