Junk DNA

Beagle · Post by **Beagle** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 5:33 am

http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20090604-18994.html

I couldn't think of any other place to put this post.

I, like this article, think that "junk" DNA holds the secrets to human adaptability. I don't know if this article has it right or not, but I think it will bring on a firestorm of scientific replies.

If we see them, we can peruse them here.

curious01 · Post by **curious01** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:14 am

Very interesting, and quite possibly one of the major keys in the evolutionary process.

I've always wondered what drove one species to rapid change, while another barely changes at all. Now, maybe there is an answer to that.

Leona Conner · Post by **Leona Conner** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:03 pm

curious01 wrote:Very interesting, and quite possibly one of the major keys in the evolutionary process.

I've always wondered what drove one species to rapid change, while another barely changes at all. Now, maybe there is an answer to that.

Me too. It may also explain the vast diversity in humans. But I would hate to think that the only reason I'm different is because I have more "junk" in my DNA.

curious01 · Post by **curious01** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:46 am

Leona Conner wrote:
curious01 wrote:Very interesting, and quite possibly one of the major keys in the evolutionary process.

I've always wondered what drove one species to rapid change, while another barely changes at all. Now, maybe there is an answer to that.
Me too. It may also explain the vast diversity in humans. But I would hate to think that the only reason I'm different is because I have more "junk" in my DNA.

Heh.

I suspect our DNA has accelerated the accumulation of this 'junk', with the way we've altered our own environment over the past 10K years. I do believe humans have & will continue to change at higher rates.