Closer to man than ape

The Guardian ^ | Tuesday January 24, 2006 | Ian Sample

[Ma3lst0rm]

They already use basic tools, have rudimentary language and star in TV commercials, but now scientists have proof that chimpanzees are more closely related to humans than other great apes.

Genetic tests comparing DNA from humans, chimps, gorillas and orang-utans reveal striking similarities in the way chimps and humans evolve that set them apart from the others.

The finding adds weight to a controversial proposal to scrap the long-used chimp genus "Pan" and reclassify the animals as members of the human family. The move would give chimps a new place in creation's pecking order alongside humans, the only survivor of the genus Homo.

The biologist Soojin Yi's team at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta compared 63m base pairs of DNA from different species, where each base is a letter in the animal's genetic code. They then analysed the DNA to look at what evolutionary biologists call the molecular clock, the rate at which an animal's genetic code evolves. The speed of the clock shows how the span of a generation has changed over the millennia.

The tests showed that even though humans and chimps split from a common ancestor between 5m and 7m years ago, the rate at which their genetic codes were evolving was extremely similar, differing by only 3%, and much slower than gorillas and orang-utans.

[Salamander]

I et 'em.

[the alleged proto-mander was something like 12 feet long]....:D

[GSlob]

"Homo troglodities, I'd guess."
Nah. Troglodytes [and Neanderthals] have long been recognized as being only too human and are frequently found in the positions of importance, trust, profit and responsibility. Has to be satyrus.

[null and void]

Has to be satyrus.

Clinton?

[GSlob]

yep.

[ForGod'sSake]

The move would give chimps a new place in creation's pecking order alongside humans, the only survivor of the genus Homo.

All of which just goes to show that liberals will do anything to increase their voting bloc. They would of course be Dims....right?

[null and void]

Maybe Homo Avunculus?

[Seniram US]

I was wondering about the article myself, particularly whether or not the ones who did the study were Christians or not as they attempt to get to the source of life. It seems to me that if they would be correct, it would cause problems. If the chimps are people or were people, than according to Christian belief, Chimps would have to have a soul.

As I understand (and believe) only people have souls. Consequently, if the Chimps are going to be considered part of the human race, I would be curious to know if there will be a follow up study to see if there is any possibility of determining whether or not they can be baptized. In addition, the thought occurred to me that if they make chimps part of the human race, will the chimps also get the opportunity to exercise freedom of religion.

Once we get beyond that maybe they could be eligible to adopt children, but one of my biggest concerns would be how Hillary would make them eligible to vote and be eligible to receive free hospitalization.

Another thought of mine would be how they could fit in a military unit with all that hair and their poor teeth if the draft is ever re-initiated.

Then last, for the moment, if they have souls I wonder why no one ever tried in the past to convert them, but then again, if they are considered human, I wonder how long it will take before the ACLU demands that the Zoos release them or at least give them a hearing in a federal court.

That study sure has made me think about Chimps, but if the do achieve status as humans, I hope they only appear on CNN and the Chrissy Mathews shows, not Fox News or Free Republic.

[sheik yerbouty]

"Baboonus Jihadicus"

[seastay]

So with this logic we can safely say that tests show that our DNA and the DNA of a cornflake are more similar than the earth to a cornflake since the earth has none therefore we evolved the same as the cornflakes and neither are related to the rocks, soils or inanimate substances the in earth which have no DNA,! Got to love these corollaries,,,,,

[wyattearp]

Consequently, if the Chimps are going to be considered part of the human race, I would be curious to know if there will be a follow up study to see if there is any possibility of determining whether or not they can be baptized.

If you want to try to dunk a Chimpanzee's head under the water, you go right ahead. Personally, I can think of less painful ways of getting my butt kicked.

[Bender2]

I expected this to be an apology for Ted Kennedy...

[Seniram US]

You've got a great point there. I was so concerned about the chimps getting ahead of lawyers in the food chain if they had souls, I didn't consider the danger you mentioned.

[PatrickHenry]

An article on the same research (different title) was posted earlier, and it's up to over 300 posts:
Evolution study tightens human-chimp connection.

[MineralMan]

Here's a cute chimp:

[null and void]

Hmmmmm. Intriguing.

There is at least one great ape who can talk. Koko the gorilla speaks American Sign Language.

I wonder if anyone has tried to have a philosophical conversation with her?

IMHO all life has a 'soul', to a greater or lesser degree, but all life isn't necessarily qualified for a heavenly afterlife.

I've known many pet lovers for whom it just wouldn't be heaven if they were eternally isolated from their beloved pets.

[ZULU]

The one on the left is the brains of the outfit.

[null and void]

Lawyers have souls?

[jwalsh07]

And of course they will need healthcare, medicare and medicaid to see them through their declining years. And scientists on the public payroll will have to study same for many years to come, both the hard type scientists and of course the social scientists. Undoubtedly a tax increase is in order when they are reclassified.

[Seniram US]

I'm still working on how to express myself more clearly. I meant to say that if a chimp has a soul it would be ahead of ;lawyers. I guess an exception might have been St. Thomas More.

[Godzilla]

I report, you decide.

The chimp is insulted.