Human Ancestors Were Consuming Alcohol 10 Million Years Ago

Discover 'blogs ^ | December 1, 2014 | Carl Engelking

[SunkenCiv]

Using the tools of paleogenetics, scientists have recently traced the evolutionary history of an enzyme that helps us metabolize ethanol, the principal type of alcohol found in adult beverages. Scientists believe early human ancestors evolved their ethanol-digesting ability about 10 million years ago to fortify their diet as they shifted from a tree-based lifestyle to a more ground-based lifestyle...

To help narrow that range, researchers studied the genetic evolution of alcohol-metabolizing enzyme ADH4, which has been present in primates, in one form or another, for at least 70 million years. Using genetic sequences from 28 different mammals, including 17 primates, the researchers were able to work backward and create a sort of family tree for ADH4.

To see how the past versions would have worked, researchers then synthesized nine different ADH4 proteins and tested their ethanol-busting properties.

Nearly all of the ADH4 enzymes from our primate ancestors were inactive -- meaning they didn't break down ethanol. However, about 10 million years ago, when orangutans and human ancestors diverged, things changed dramatically. A single amino acid alteration made ADH4 able to metabolize ethanol 40 times better than before.

[RedMDer]

Some things never change :)

[ClearCase_guy]

I'm no expert on evolution, but help me out here:

Evolution is random, right? It's not like a species decides: "I'd like to fly" and then, over millions of years, it develops wings. In fact, a species may experience genetic drift sort of "in the direction of" wings. And some of these minor genetic changes may impact some unforeseen advantage to offspring and therefore be preserved, and so over time this generic drifting may reach the point where some level of flight is possible.

The wings were not made on purpose, or for any reason, they just happened because tiny genetic changes occurred and wound up being useful at some point.

So, the fact that humans COULD metabolize ADH4 does not in any way provide evidence that we were consuming alcohol, right?

AT SOME POINT we consumed alcohol, and our ability to metabolize ADH4 came in handy then. But it's not like we specifically developed this genetic trait BECAUSE we were drinking alcohol -- that would veer toward Lamarckism, right?

So they have no idea when we started drinking alcohol.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

It has also been known to aid in some peoples chances of reproduction.

[kjam22]

So they have no idea when we started drinking alcohol.

Yep... but they're being paid to come up with a date.....

[freedumb2003]

again, read past the intro.

Reading is FUNdamental!

[freedumb2003]

>>Evolution is random, right?<<

Wrong

[kjam22]

One theory holds that primates regularly ingested ethanol some 80 million years ago as plants started producing fleshy fruits that could drop and ferment on the ground. Other scientists believe humans started enjoying ethanol just 9,000 years ago when we learned how to ferment foodstuffs.

The new idea is that it wasn't 80 million years ago ... it was only 10 million. But as far as we know...the other scientists still believe it was when people learned to ferment foodstuffs. 9,000 years ago.

[kjam22]

Neither group has a real clue....

[Sirius Lee]

So they have no idea when we started drinking alcohol.

We were genetically designed by space aliens. We learned to drink in order to deal with the grief of them abducting our cows and women all the time. Space jerks is more like it.

[Sirius Lee]

What are you lookin’ at?

[freedumb2003]

you didn’t read it.

I give up

[kjam22]

I read it....

[ClearCase_guy]

You argue like a Liberal. No logical thought, no well argued case. No explanations needed. Just snarky comments, because you know you're right, and you know everyone else is beneath you.

Proponents of Evolution have a lot in common with Global Warming cultists. But, if you're in the cult, you think it's all Science and you look down on fools who just aren't operating at your level of advanced understanding.

[freedumb2003]

I wasn’t arguing TtoE. I was stating a fact.

You don’t waste time going jnto ad hominum.

ho hum

[freedumb2003]

then you ignored it.

Hey if that is your learning style I will let you be.

[Jamestown1630]

*Burp*

-JT

[Busko]

The crap that tax dollars are being wasted on. 10 million years ago? Really? Junk evolution so-called science. Wonder why the college students are getting dumber by the hour.

[kjam22]

There’s nothing to learn there :) That’s the point....

[freedumb2003]

>>There’s nothing to learn there <<

For some, that is true.

[Texicanus]

Not to stir up the evolutionists in the crowd too much, my master changed water into wine at a wedding one time, and that’s enough for me. Got that info from my Uncle Emmitt who was once a Baptist preacher who believed it was grape juice not real wine. Of course uncle finally died and was cremated. Nearly burned down the crematory.

Sorry if I have offended any Baptists or evolutionists.