Alu and chimpanzees & humans

Alu Recombination-Mediated Structural Deletions in the Chimpanzee Genome:

Here, by scanning the chimpanzee genome for such deletions, we determined the role of the Alu recombination-mediated deletion process in creating structural differences between the chimpanzee and human genomes. Using a combination of computational and experimental techniques, we identified 663 deletions, involving the removal of â¼771 kb of genomic sequence. Interestingly, about half of these deletions were located within known or predicted genes, and in several cases, the deletions removed coding exons from chimpanzee genes as compared to their human counterparts. Alu recombination-mediated deletion shows signs of being a major sculptor of primate genomes and may be responsible for generating some of the genetic differences between humans and chimpanzees.

Differences. Sometimes it seems like there a background assumption floating in the air that chimp-human comparisons of any sort (genetic, neurological, etc.) are searching for the magic switch which turns one into a human or a chimp. But of course the difference between a chimpanzee and a human is on the fundamental level quantitative, not qualitative. And there were millions of years for the two lineages to go their own way.

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Given the destructive nature of mutations (insertions, deletions, frame shifts, etc.), it is impossible to make the case that there could be an evolved genetic relationship between man and ape. Alu sequences clearly show distinct genetic variations among species not only disproving but discounting evolutionary dogma on extra special evolution.

By Troy Green (not verified) on 03 Jan 2009 #permalink