Neandertals are our ancestors

[woot]

So show two papers just released today. Long considered to be only evolutionary cousins by most researchers (though some of us figured otherwise), it seems that modern Europeans share between at least 1 and 4 percent of our DNA with neandertals.

Go here for a very nice summary:

http://johnhawks.net/weblog/reviews/...cing-2010.html

These scientists have given an immense gift to humanity.

I've been comparing it to the pictures of Earth that came back from Apollo 8. The Neandertal genome gives us a picture of ourselves, from the outside looking in. We can see, and now learn about, the essential genetic changes that make us human -- the things that made our emergence as a global species possible.

[falafel]

So does this lend credence to the theory that humans and neadertals mated and mixed (and thus the neandertals "disappeared")?

[UtahDan]

This is interesting. So let me axe you something it makes me think of.

A law student at Harvard has been getting crucified on the internet because she has suggested that it doesn't make sense that races have evolved pretty varied traits but the assumption seems to be that they all evolved identical intelligence. I think this was her lame way of explaining why so many African governments are in disarray.

I have said in the past I don't think it is a vary useful inquiry and that there is the potential for lots of harm. And I do believe that. So with all that said, is this something that has been seriously studied? Is it too much of a third rail? Just curious as to the state of the science itself. I figured you would know.

[creekster]

This is interesting. So let me axe you something it makes me think of.

A law student at Harvard has been getting crucified on the internet because she has suggested that it doesn't make sense that races have evolved pretty varied traits but the assumption seems to be that they all evolved identical intelligence. I think this was her lame way of explaining why so many African governments are in disarray.

I have said in the past I don't think it is a vary useful inquiry and that there is the potential for lots of harm. And I do believe that. So with all that said, is this something that has been seriously studied? Is it too much of a third rail? Just curious as to the state of the science itself. I figured you would know.

Seriously? Read The Bell curve and then Guns, Germs and Steel, in that order.

[UtahDan]

Seriously? Read The Bell curve and then Guns, Germs and Steel, in that order.

I have. Just curious to hear expert tell me if there is anything new. I feel dirty asking, but it was in the bloggosphere this week.

[creekster]

I have. Just curious to hear expert tell me if there is anything new. I feel dirty asking, but it was in the bloggosphere this week.

Oooh-kay. if you say so.

[UtahDan]

http://abovethelaw.com/2010/05/the-h...=Google+Reader

[falafel]

I have. Just curious to hear expert tell me if there is anything new. I feel dirty asking, but it was in the bloggosphere this week.

Yeah, but did you read them in that order?

[creekster]

Yeah, but did you read them in that order?

G,G & S is a response to the issues rasied in the Bell Curve. I figred he knew the books. I think reading them in that order makes pretty quick work fo that sort of racism and I am not sure what 'new' could change my mind, but I suppose naything is possible.

[UtahDan]

G,G & S is a response to the issues rasied in the Bell Curve. I figred he knew the books. I think reading them in that order makes pretty quick work fo that sort of racism and I am not sure what 'new' could change my mind, but I suppose naything is possible.

The truth is it has been quite a while since I read that. I should probably revisit it.

[creekster]

http://abovethelaw.com/2010/05/the-h...=Google+Reader

Fascinating.

Not really. In fact, not at all.

Sorry, but I am surprised that you seem less than confident of the result of this inquiry.

[UtahDan]

Fascinating.

Not really. In fact, not at all.

Sorry, but I am surprised that you seem less than confident of the result of this inquiry.

Maybe I'm just a bigot seeking confirmation of what I already know deep in my heart.

[creekster]

Maybe I'm just a bigot seeking confirmation of what I already know deep in my heart.

I doubt it. It's just that it was so, well, Peyton place-ish (are oyu old enough to even know what that is?) reading that bloggosphere thing that I couldnt' even finish it.

Maybe I am too smug in my certainty. I have little doubt that if he thinks either or both of us are wrong, woot will let us know.

[falafel]

Where IS woot?

[UtahDan]

So does this lend credence to the theory that humans and neadertals mated and mixed (and thus the neandertals "disappeared")?

This is an interesting question too. I thought I had read that the idea of interbreeding had been out there for a long time. Is this just the first actual evidence of it?