NOVA1: The Gene That Found Its Voice

    How humans developed the ability to speak has been a mystery to scientists for a very long time, especially because it doesn't leave behind physical evidence like fossils. A new study found a gene called NOVA1 changed a significant amount in humans somewhere around 250,000 and 500,000 years ago. NOVA1 might have played a role in helping early humans speak in more advanced ways. In a study, scientists inserted the human version of NOVA1 gene into mice, which resulted in the mice making more complex sounds, especially during mating calls. Dr. Darnell discovered that the human version of NOVA1 influenced the production of over 200 proteins in mouse brains, many of which are linked to how animals produce sounds. This points to NOVA1 potentially affecting the brain's control over speech-related behaviors. Dr. Jarvis and Dr. Darnell explain that NOVA1 is most likely just one of many genes involved in language development. The evolution of the gene became common in humans after we split from Neanderthals and Denisovans. Their research, along with studies on the FOXP2 gene, gives us new clues about how language might have evolved. 

 

    I chose this article because language is such a fundamental part of what makes us human, yet I never really thought about how it might have developed through genetics and evolved over time. It's fascinating how much the NOVA1 gene may have contributed to our ability to produce more complex sounds. I thought the study done using mice was especially interesting and informative because it demonstrated the impact the human version of NOVA1 has on brain function and sound production. When I found out that the mating calls became more complex with the introduction of the gene, I was honestly speechless. The study was a creative and effective way to connect genetics to speech-related behaviors, and it not only helped scientists better understand how language evolved but also made the topic more engaging and meaningful for me as a student.  

How Does Genetics Influence a Dog's Health and Behavior?

Recently, Emily Anthes from the New York Times reported that the genetic influences on dogs' health and behavior based on their breed. For a long time, through selective breeding, humans have been responsible for handcrafting the characteristics that give dachshunds their short legs, Great Danes their immense size, and pugs flat faces. Breeders face the challenge of distinguishing dogs to make them unique but are limited to a few genes. Choosing and inbreeding dogs with recognizable characteristics makes them susceptible to mutations due to exaggerating their attributes to increase rarity. For example, the gene that codes for dog size is insulin-like growth factor-1, which varies in small and large breeds; similarly, only three genes are responsible for a dog’s coat type. A dog’s breed is directly related to its health; since most breeds are homogeneous, they are susceptible to the same diseases, like degenerative eye disease, which is common in Labrador retrievers.

On the other hand, mutts and mixed-breed dogs may have a lesser chance of contracting some of these diseases, but due to how highly inbred they are, they are likely not much less vulnerable. Aside from the hazy connection between dog breeds and health, the connection between dog breeds and behavior is even more unclear. Due to humans prioritizing appearance over behavior when breeding dogs, the main distinction in breeds is how the dogs look, more so than how they behave. While some dogs lean towards one behavior over another, like a terrier, which is more predacious than a border collie, behavior alone is not enough to distinguish the dog breed. Conclusively, only 80% of dogs in the world live free and unconfined from humans, a small percentage of which are purebred or have no known ancestry.

I believe dog breeders wield too much authority over the lives of these powerless animals. Dogs should not have to suffer from inefficient characteristics like a pug's flat face because it'll make the breeder more money. Generally, dog breeders don't consider the genetic factors regarding health or behavior that significantly affect the dog's ability to find a loving home after being bred. This careless act turns dogs from loving beings needing love and care into commodities sold without regard.