Human Brain Still Evolving

Forbes.com ^ | 9/8/2005 | Alan Mozes

[Mike Bates]

The evolution of the human brain is not quite a done deal, say researchers who've uncovered genetic evidence that man's mysterious gray matter is still undergoing beneficial change.

The scientists make their claim based on the recent evolutionary history of two genes -- microcephalin and abnormal spindle-like microcephaly-associated (ASPM) -- which appear to regulate brain size.

Over thousands of years, both genes seem to be generating new and improved versions of themselves -- beneficial mutations that are spreading rapidly among the human population to reshape and strengthen brain capacity.

"I think a lot of people might consider humans to be at the pinnacle of evolutionary lineage -- that we have achieved an advanced state as a species, and we have basically become the end-game," said study co-author Bruce T. Lahn, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and assistant professor of human genetics at the University of Chicago. "But what we found indicates that the species -- particularly when it comes to the brain, which is perhaps our most defining feature -- is still evolving."

In the Sept. 9 issue of Science, Lahn and his colleagues report on the results of two genetic analyses -- the first conducted among 90 men and women and a chimpanzee, and the second among almost 1,200 men and women. The participant pools were drawn from 59 ethnic groups from all over the world.

[Mike Bates]

Hope for Democrats?

Michael M. Bates: My Side of the Swamp

[Prime Choice]

Hope for Democrats?

Considering the latest medical evidence, I doubt it.

[thoughtomator]

Democrats - evolutionarily challenged?

[skinkinthegrass]

"Sixth Finger" Old "Outer Limits" TV series Ping

[Jim Robinson]

"beneficial mutations that are spreading rapidly among the human population to reshape and strengthen brain capacity."

Oooooh, I can hardly wait until it spreads to me.

[Lorianne]

My concern when talking to some people is that there is reverse-evolution.

[stm]

Quite to the contrary, I believe dementacrat's brains have actually de-volved back to a level even with Australopithecus

[Mike Bates]

Me first! Me first!

[GSlob]

"...the first conducted among 90 men and women and a chimpanzee, and the second among almost 1,200 men and women. The participant pools were drawn from 59 ethnic groups from all over the world."
The chimpanzee scored squarely in the middle of its test group, significantly outclassing both LA Governor and NO mayor...

[Jim Robinson]

ROFLOL!!

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Hope for Democrats?

Nah. They are devolving.

[Fiddlstix]

Hope for Democrats?

Good question
But.....
Is there hope for the MuzSlimes?

[Fitzcarraldo]

[Fitzcarraldo]

[MNJohnnie]

Human Brain Still Evolving.

Some brains anyways. Evolve or die Democrats.

[Cautor]

DUmmucrats are out on a limb when it comes to the tree of evolution, right there alongside the Lesser Stick-nest Rat and the giant sloth.

[wallcrawlr]

ping

Revelation 4:11Intelligent Design
See my profile for info

[cryptical]

My concern when talking to some people is that there is reverse-evolution.

It's called de-evolution. Devo preached it back in the 70's.

[stm]

A classic look inside a dementacrats head. A micro-brain suspended in sinovial fluid

[humblegunner]

Oooooh, I can hardly wait until it spreads to me.

"It's spreading the mutation HERE, Jim...

Get there now and you can TAKE OVER THE WORLD!"