Comments on: Orangutan Genome: The Orange Apes Evolved at Their Own Quirky Pace http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/01/27/orangutan-genome-the-orange-apes-evolved-at-their-own-quirky-pace/ Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:34:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Bob http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/01/27/orangutan-genome-the-orange-apes-evolved-at-their-own-quirky-pace/#comment-24878 Bob Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:22:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=25491#comment-24878 Vickie... Actually, there is very little diversity among human beings. Surprisingly little, far less than in most species. Scientists have surmised that humanity went through a near-extinction event at some point, which narrowed the gene pool. Studies have also shown persistent global mixing of the human gene pool throughout human pre-history --- which also did a lot to prevent significant regional differences in our genes. In other words, human beings have a persistent wanderlust that we don't always find in other species. There is little correlation between what we perceive today as race, and actual genetic diversity. Most differences that we attribute to race are encoded in a vanishingly small number of genes -- about 20. There is far more variation WITHIN each "race" than between them. And not surprisingly, there is more variation in Africa than anywhere else. Conclusion: race is not a biologically definable category. These characteristics (eg, skin color) are just a few (minor) traits, among many (eg, baldness) --- ones that we put a lot of social significance in. Vickie… Actually, there is very little diversity among human beings. Surprisingly little, far less than in most species. Scientists have surmised that humanity went through a near-extinction event at some point, which narrowed the gene pool.

Studies have also shown persistent global mixing of the human gene pool throughout human pre-history — which also did a lot to prevent significant regional differences in our genes. In other words, human beings have a persistent wanderlust that we don’t always find in other species.

There is little correlation between what we perceive today as race, and actual genetic diversity. Most differences that we attribute to race are encoded in a vanishingly small number of genes — about 20. There is far more variation WITHIN each “race” than between them. And not surprisingly, there is more variation in Africa than anywhere else.

Conclusion: race is not a biologically definable category. These characteristics (eg, skin color) are just a few (minor) traits, among many (eg, baldness) — ones that we put a lot of social significance in.

]]> By: vickie98531 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/01/27/orangutan-genome-the-orange-apes-evolved-at-their-own-quirky-pace/#comment-24877 vickie98531 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:19:47 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=25491#comment-24877 Wouldn't this explain how all primates - including humans - are so diverse? Isn't it possible that humans have also evolved separate of each other explaining how there is so much diversity among us? Even a slightly different - and more difficult to detect - evolution would shed light on our genetic diversities thereby allowing for so many humans with so many differences such as Pigmies, African Americans, and Asians to name a few? I believe this is the way we have evolved all the way throughout time. Simple adjustments of time could easily explain many differences. Wouldn’t this explain how all primates – including humans – are so diverse? Isn’t it possible that humans have also evolved separate of each other explaining how there is so much diversity among us? Even a slightly different – and more difficult to detect – evolution would shed light on our genetic diversities thereby allowing for so many humans with so many differences such as Pigmies, African Americans, and Asians to name a few? I believe this is the way we have evolved all the way throughout time. Simple adjustments of time could easily explain many differences.

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