Posted on 05/07/2010 12:04:44 PM PDT by JoeProBono
The next time you're tempted to call some oaf a Neanderthal, you might want to take a look in the mirror.
According to a new DNA study, most humans have a little Neanderthal in them—at least 1 to 4 percent of a person's genetic makeup.
The study uncovered the first solid genetic evidence that "modern" humans—or Homo sapiens—interbred with their Neanderthal neighbors, who mysteriously died out about 30,000 years ago.
What's more, the Neanderthal-modern human mating apparently took place in the Middle East, shortly after modern humans had left Africa, not in Europe—as has long been suspected.
"We can now say that, in all probability, there was gene flow from Neanderthals to modern humans," lead study author Ed Green of the University of California, Santa Cruz, said in a prepared statement.
That's no surprise to anthropologist Erik Trinkhaus, whose skeleton-based claims of Neanderthal-modern human interbreeding—previously contradicted with DNA evidence—appear to have been vindicated by the new gene study, to be published tomorrow in the journal Science.
"They've finally seen the light ... because it's been obvious to many us that this happened," said Trinkaus, of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, who wasn't part of the new study.
Trinkhaus adds that most living humans probably have much more Neanderthal DNA than the new study suggests.
"One to 4 percent is truly a minimum," Trinkaus added. "But is it 10 percent? Twenty percent? I have no idea."
is that his dick showing?
IBTHTP.
40%, because that is the percentage of Democrats.
I say the biggest neanderthal is in the White House. And I’m not talking about Barack.
RACIST!!!
It sounds like an ancient relative of your “Hit It” with a Neanderthal... ;-)
“modern” humans—or Homo sapiens—interbred with their Neanderthal neighbors...”
Sure, it’s so easy even a caveman could do it.
IBTHTP
Ooo, I like hairy men! I can see the attraction between the two species. Tee-hee.
I have heard that neanderthal chicks were hot. No homo in this homosapien.
IB4THTP!
He’s just texting his sweethang on his blackberry. We’ll look like that after the reign of King Obama..
"What's more, the Neanderthal-modern human mating apparently took place in the Middle East, shortly after modern humans had left Africa, not in Europe—as has long been suspected."
We knew this
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