[Blueflag]

Consider the diversity of the human species, which statistically would match 100%, to two significant figures, when comparing the genotype of two individuals. My point is that what we view as tiny differences in the gene sequence represent huge differences in expression.

Brilliant scientists used to believe 'one gene/one protein'. Now they know how wrong they were.

You know what they say about statistics...

The 12% difference in the gene sequence between humans and another species is huge. Imagine what would happen if it were determined that going through airport scanner (or smokin' weed) might alter "up to .1% of your gene sequences". You think folks would view that as a good outcome????

Chimps are not nearly humans. 12% difference is HUGE genetically.

[DeepDish]

I hope that you do not think that I have bought the "we are more closely related than you think" argument. With a 1.5% difference in human/chimp dna, which sounds small, there is a stunning number of base pairs involved. If I remember correctly, there are about 4 billion sequences in the human genome. 1.5% of that number is about 60 million, this is not a number of little consequence. It does tend to support the argument that when nature, or God, depending on your C/E beliefs, finds a combination or sequence useful, that combination is used widely.

The small percentage difference is impressive to the guys who were playing pocket pool in high school while the math teacher had his back to the class explaining the subject at the blackboard.