| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"johac" |
| Date: |
01 Sep 2005 06:57:41 AM |
| Object: |
Scientists Decipher the Chimpanzee's DNA |
This is big. By comparison of our closest living relative's genes to our
own, we can gain insights into human evolution and what makes our
species different from other primates.
---
Scientists Decipher the Chimpanzee's DNA
By MALCOLM RITTER, AP Science WriterWed Aug 31, 6:26 PM ET
Scientists have deciphered the DNA of the chimpanzee, the closest living
relative of humankind, and made comprehensive comparisons with the human
genetic blueprint. It's a step toward finding a biological answer to a
key question: What makes us human?
There are no firm answers yet about how humans picked up key traits such
as walking upright and developing complex language. But the work has
produced a long list of DNA differences with the chimp and some hints
about which ones might be crucial.
"We've got the catalog, now we just have to figure it out," said Dr.
Robert Waterston of the University of Washington School of Medicine in
Seattle. "It's not going to be one gene. It's going to be an
accumulation of changes."
He is senior author of one of several related papers appearing in
Thursday's issue of the journal Nature and being published online
Thursday by the journal Science.
In the papers, Waterston presents a draft of the newly deciphered
sequence of the chimp genome, in which an international team of
researchers identified virtually all the roughly 3 billion building
blocks of chimp DNA.
"It's a huge deal," said Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National
Human Genome Research Institute, which provided some support for the
project. "We now have the instruction book of our closest relative."
He said the work will help scientists analyze human DNA for roots of
disease.
While the DNA comparisons don't firmly identify specific differences
that played a big role in producing humans, they do indicate promising
areas, said Bruce Lahn, who studies human evolution genetics at the
University of Chicago but didn't participate in the project. Lahn said
the research refutes a few previous ideas while providing new and better
evidence for others.
Humans and chimps have evolved separately since splitting from a common
ancestor about 6 million years ago, and their DNA remains highly similar
about 96 percent to almost 99 percent identical, depending on how the
comparison is made.
Still, the number of genetic differences between a human and a chimp is
about 10 times more than between any two humans, the federal genome
institute says. It's the differences some 40 million that attract the
attention of scientists.
Waterston and colleagues, for example, looked for genes that apparently
have changed more quickly in humans than in chimps or rodents,
indicating they might have been particularly important in human
evolution. They found evidence of rapid change in some genes that
regulate the activity of other genes, telling them when and in what
tissues to become active, for example.
It would make sense that changes in these regulatory genes could have a
broad impact on how organisms develop, playing a key role in human
evolution, Waterston said.
With help from the chimp DNA, his team also uncovered several regions of
human DNA that apparently contain beneficial genetic changes that spread
rapidly among humans within the past 250,000 years. One area contains a
gene called FOXP2, which previous work has suggested is involved in
acquiring speech.
Svante Paabo of the Max Planck institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
in Leipzig, Germany, and colleagues report in the Science paper that
genes active in the brain have changed more in the human lineage than in
the chimp lineage. That wasn't the case for genes from other organs such
as the heart and liver.
In a telephone interview, Paabo said that in general, "I'm still sort of
taken aback by how similar humans and chimps are" in their DNA. "I'm
still amazed, when I see how special humans are and how we have taken
over this planet, that we don't find stronger evidence for a huge
difference in our genomes."
He said he believes the key differences between the species will prove
to be subtle things such as patterns of gene activity and how proteins
interact.
In fact, Waterston and co-authors said they hoped documenting the
overall similarity of chimp and human genomes will encourage action to
save chimps and other great apes in the wild:
"We hope that elaborating how few differences separate our species will
broaden recognition of our duty to these extraordinary primates that
stand as our siblings in the family of life."
---
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050831/ap_on_sc/chimp_genes;_ylt=AklFrEUMwjo
hMT_NZh4T5b534T0D;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl
---
For those interested, her are some other links:
Newly completed chimp genome helps scientists learn more about human DNA
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-08/wuso-ncc082905.php
New genome comparison finds chimps, humans very similar at DNA level
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-08/nhgr-ngc082905.php
HHMI News: Human Y Chromosome Preserves Itself Better Than the Chimp Y
http://www.hhmi.org/news/page6.html
--
John Hachmann aa #1782
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities"
-Voltaire
.
|
|
| User: "Divin Marquis" |
|
| Title: Re: Scientists Decipher the Chimpanzee's DNA |
01 Sep 2005 12:06:43 PM |
|
|
Le Wed, 31 Aug 2005 23:57:41 -0700, johac a écrit :
This is big. By comparison of our closest living relative's genes to our
own, we can gain insights into human evolution and what makes our species
different from other primates.
I read somewhere that humans and chimps had more DNA in common than
african vs. asian elephant or horses vs. zebra.
Interesting factoid to wiggle over cretinitionists.
.
|
|
|
| User: "johac" |
|
| Title: Re: Scientists Decipher the Chimpanzee's DNA |
02 Sep 2005 06:28:44 AM |
|
|
In article <pan.2005.09.01.12.06.43.443108@127.0.0.1>,
Divin Marquis <postmaster@127.0.0.1> wrote:
Le Wed, 31 Aug 2005 23:57:41 -0700, johac a écrit :
This is big. By comparison of our closest living relative's genes to our
own, we can gain insights into human evolution and what makes our species
different from other primates.
I read somewhere that humans and chimps had more DNA in common than
african vs. asian elephant or horses vs. zebra.
Interesting factoid to wiggle over cretinitionists.
True, but they'll just mutter something about 'common design' and walk
away.
--
John Hachmann aa #1782
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities"
-Voltaire
.
|
|
|
|
|
| User: "Michael Gray" |
|
| Title: Re: Scientists Decipher the Chimpanzee's DNA |
01 Sep 2005 08:42:10 AM |
|
|
On Wed, 31 Aug 2005 23:57:41 -0700, johac <jhachm@ixpres.com> wrote:
This is big. By comparison of our closest living relative's genes to our
own, we can gain insights into human evolution and what makes our
species different from other primates.
---
Scientists Decipher the Chimpanzee's DNA
By MALCOLM RITTER, AP Science WriterWed Aug 31, 6:26 PM ET
Scientists have deciphered the DNA of the chimpanzee, the closest living
relative of humankind, and made comprehensive comparisons with the human
genetic blueprint. It's a step toward finding a biological answer to a
key question: What makes us human?
:
I thought that the "closest living relative of humankind" was the
Bonobo, not the Chimpanzee?
If they can't get this right, what else is wrong in the article?
.
|
|
|
| User: "Divin Marquis" |
|
| Title: Re: Scientists Decipher the Chimpanzee's DNA |
01 Sep 2005 12:11:04 PM |
|
|
Le Thu, 01 Sep 2005 18:12:10 +0930, Michael Gray a écrit :
I thought that the "closest living relative of humankind" was the
Bonobo, not the Chimpanzee?
If they can't get this right, what else is wrong in the article?
Cue wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonobo
Bonobos diverged from Common Chimpanzees after the last Common Chimpanzee
ancestor diverged from its last common ancestor with humans. Since no
species other than ourselves have survived from the human line of that
branching, Bonobos and Common Chimpanzees are our closest living
relatives, sharing approximately 95% of their DNA with us (the original
estimate was 98.5 percent).
.
|
|
|
| User: "Michael Gray" |
|
| Title: Re: Scientists Decipher the Chimpanzee's DNA |
01 Sep 2005 12:52:02 PM |
|
|
On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 14:11:04 +0200, Divin Marquis
<postmaster@127.0.0.1> wrote:
Le Thu, 01 Sep 2005 18:12:10 +0930, Michael Gray a écrit :
I thought that the "closest living relative of humankind" was the
Bonobo, not the Chimpanzee?
If they can't get this right, what else is wrong in the article?
Cue wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonobo
Bonobos diverged from Common Chimpanzees after the last Common Chimpanzee
ancestor diverged from its last common ancestor with humans. Since no
species other than ourselves have survived from the human line of that
branching, Bonobos and Common Chimpanzees are our closest living
relatives, sharing approximately 95% of their DNA with us (the original
estimate was 98.5 percent).
Thank you for your (apparently) erudite posts, way too many to reply
to individually, I'm afraid.
As a scientist, (and atheist), I'm not ashamed to publicly admit that
I was wrong.
In fact, I relish it when I have a long-held mistaken belief
corrected.
I positively live for the pursuit of knowledge and learning.
Oh, and beer.
And females of the species H. Sapiens.
Occasionally at all the same time.
.
|
|
|
|
|
| User: "Divin Marquis" |
|
| Title: Re: Scientists Decipher the Chimpanzee's DNA |
01 Sep 2005 12:08:20 PM |
|
|
Le Thu, 01 Sep 2005 18:12:10 +0930, Michael Gray a écrit :
I thought that the "closest living relative of humankind" was the Bonobo,
not the Chimpanzee?
Bonobos and chimps are very closely related, genus pan, family hominidae
(which also includes humans and gorillas). Chimps is, I believe, slightly
closer to us genetically, but bonobos resemble us more.
If they can't get this right, what else is wrong in the article?
.
|
|
|
|
| User: "Divin Marquis" |
|
| Title: Re: Scientists Decipher the Chimpanzee's DNA |
01 Sep 2005 12:09:50 PM |
|
|
Le Thu, 01 Sep 2005 18:12:10 +0930, Michael Gray a écrit :
I thought that the "closest living relative of humankind" was the Bonobo,
not the Chimpanzee?
If they can't get this right, what else is wrong in the article?
BTW "bonobos" AKA /pan paniscus/ are also considered a specie of
chimpanzee. Common chimps are /pan troglodytes/.
.
|
|
|
|
| User: "Matt Silberstein" |
|
| Title: Re: Scientists Decipher the Chimpanzee's DNA |
01 Sep 2005 01:18:03 PM |
|
|
On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 18:12:10 +0930, in alt.atheism , Michael Gray
<fleetg@newsguy.spam.com> in
<6jfdh1ljp1tu18k8q8g1394eoh9jer2j8t@4ax.com> wrote:
On Wed, 31 Aug 2005 23:57:41 -0700, johac <jhachm@ixpres.com> wrote:
This is big. By comparison of our closest living relative's genes to our
own, we can gain insights into human evolution and what makes our
species different from other primates.
---
Scientists Decipher the Chimpanzee's DNA
By MALCOLM RITTER, AP Science WriterWed Aug 31, 6:26 PM ET
Scientists have deciphered the DNA of the chimpanzee, the closest living
relative of humankind, and made comprehensive comparisons with the human
genetic blueprint. It's a step toward finding a biological answer to a
key question: What makes us human?
:
I thought that the "closest living relative of humankind" was the
Bonobo, not the Chimpanzee?
If they can't get this right, what else is wrong in the article?
Chimp refers to both species, Pan troglodytes and Pan paniscus. The
Bonobo is often called the Pigmy Chimp. That said, it is an AP story
and not the original, I am sure it got stuff wrong.
--
Matt Silberstein
Do something today about the Darfur Genocide
Genocide is news | Be A Witness
http://www.beawitness.org
"Darfur: A Genocide We can Stop"
www.darfurgenocide.org
Save Darfur.org :: Violence and Suffering in Sudan's Darfur Region
http://www.savedarfur.org/
.
|
|
|
| User: "johac" |
|
| Title: Re: Scientists Decipher the Chimpanzee's DNA |
02 Sep 2005 04:48:08 AM |
|
|
In article <plvdh15t3iqcsaag52ura6ucgcq6k6ije8@4ax.com>,
Matt Silberstein <RemoveThisPrefixmatts2nospam@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 18:12:10 +0930, in alt.atheism , Michael Gray
<fleetg@newsguy.spam.com> in
<6jfdh1ljp1tu18k8q8g1394eoh9jer2j8t@4ax.com> wrote:
On Wed, 31 Aug 2005 23:57:41 -0700, johac <jhachm@ixpres.com> wrote:
This is big. By comparison of our closest living relative's genes to our
own, we can gain insights into human evolution and what makes our
species different from other primates.
---
Scientists Decipher the Chimpanzee's DNA
By MALCOLM RITTER, AP Science WriterWed Aug 31, 6:26 PM ET
Scientists have deciphered the DNA of the chimpanzee, the closest living
relative of humankind, and made comprehensive comparisons with the human
genetic blueprint. It's a step toward finding a biological answer to a
key question: What makes us human?
:
I thought that the "closest living relative of humankind" was the
Bonobo, not the Chimpanzee?
If they can't get this right, what else is wrong in the article?
Chimp refers to both species, Pan troglodytes and Pan paniscus. The
Bonobo is often called the Pigmy Chimp. That said, it is an AP story
and not the original, I am sure it got stuff wrong.
For those who have access, the article is out in Nature this week:
http://www.nature.com/nature/index.html
--
John Hachmann aa #1782
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities"
-Voltaire
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related Articles |
|
|
