A new human genetics study led by Dr. Liram Carmel at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem compared limb bone DNA of a modern living human, a Neanderthal, and a stone-age Eurasian human known as a Denisovan to better understand how well each species relates to one another. They found that the key difference in the 99.84% similarity between modern humans and Neanderthals is the presence of gene activation patterns similar to an "on/off" switch. The research team found that the remaining 0.16% difference in our DNA is merely a certain portion of gene that modern humans have activated while Neanderthals were not, and vice versa. This pattern of activation has helped contribute to the human epigenome, which differs from the regular human genome in that it is concerned only with those genes that are turned on or off even as the molecular sequence remains the same.
I think the minimal difference between modern humans and our ancestors is always interesting to think about. In thousands of years of evolution, our DNA sequence has only changed by a few tenths of a percent, and yet that has given rise to endless advancements both physically and especially mentally. More impressively, recent research on the human epigenome has helped advance knowledge in how gene silencing leads to cancer, and how twins can differ so much. To me, the epigenome seems like a solid place to turn for more answers on how we can understands and hopefully beat diseases like cancer.
Here is the original article from Chicago Tribune.
Here's a cool timeline of human evolution with some more info on major milestones.
I agree with you in that it's pretty impressive that over thousands of years of evolution our genetic sequences have only changed by a few tenths of a percent. You would think that everything mankind has experienced would have impacted us more significantly. It is interesting to think about how much we will change within the next few hundred years with the way technology has exploded. Only this small change in DNA sequence has lead to great advancements and I marvel at the idea of what can come.
ReplyDeleteThis epigenetic means of adaptations without DNA mutations to do it is intelligent design in its signature and logistics. In 2014, too, it was found the Darwin Finches beak adaptations was epigenetic, not by the theorized evolving of DNA mutations. Again...this meets the intelligent design signature. ToE is found false and creation by God to be true. Creation does make sense since all of the biological structures such as protein and DNA sequences are mathematical impossibilities-by-chance. Over 122 constants and measurements in physics and chemistry have to have do-or-die precision beyond mathematical impossibility for life to exist. What does this mean? Our physical realm is supernatural, inferring God's real would be the natural part of existence. EXACTLY, what would be expected in a creation, not a slow self-making without intelligence evolution.
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