Neanderthals, Humans Interbred—First Solid DNA Evidence -Most of us have some Neanderthal genes

nationalgeographic ^ | May 6, 2010 | Ker Than

[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."

[Touch Not the Cat]

.

[raybbr]

Everyone knows this. It was chronicled in "Clan Of The Cave Bear"...

[starlifter]

Why, oh why, do I look at Freep on Fridays???

[JoeProBono]

[Touch Not the Cat]

.

[Sacajaweau]

Yes...He’s singing “Hang low...sweet chariot”...which was the ancient word for _______....

[PapaBear3625]

Ooo, I like hairy men! I can see the attraction between the two species. Tee-hee.

It's more likely that ancient Cro-Mags would take conquered Neanderthal women into the tribe. If there are guys who would screw goats, it's likely they would not have a problem with screwing Neanderthal women.

[JoeProBono]

[east1234]

“What’s more, the Neanderthal-modern human mating apparently took place in the Middle East, “

There must have been a shortage of goats.......

[null and void]

Indeed. Some of these offspring are still around.

[Grunthor]

How long until someone posts a pic of Helen Thomas?

[End Times Sentinel]

I bred with a chick from the Netherlands in highschool. Well, not exactly bred, but I was a pretty happy guy.

[allmendream]

Not at all. You are comparing apples and oranges.

Our DNA similarity to a Chimpanzee is 98% for genetic DNA and around 94% for genomic DNA.

Our DNA similarity with a Neanderthal would most likely be 99% for genetic DNA and around 97% or more for genomic DNA.

That is just comparing DNA sequences. It was from ANALYSIS of human DNA segments and comparison with Neanderthal segments that made them estimate that out of 100 great to the nth power grandparent the typical person has, one to four of them was a Neanderthal.

Do you perceive the difference?

If you got a Lion Tiger mix to successfully breed into the Tiger population, a few hundred years later you might estimate based upon DNA that that Tiger population was around 1 to 4% Lion.

That doesn't change the fact that Lions and Tigers are whatever % similar when comparing their genetic DNA.

[Lazamataz]

[JoeProBono]

[raybbr]

Why, oh why, do I look at Freep on Fridays???

Because it's fun!

[James C. Bennett]

Good reply.

[airborne]

Loved him in ‘Hellboy’!

[9422WMR]

Yea, have you seen the Uni-Brow bomber?
He is looks like a cave man for sure!!!!

[null and void]

He's a muslim. islam was conceived in a cave.

REAL prophets climbed mountains to be closer to God.

mohammed crawled into a cave.