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Chimps Belong in Human Genus?

Posted by michael on from the party-crashing dept.

Bradley Chapman writes "I found this interesting story from Discovery News about our ties with chimpanzees. Excerpts: 'Chimpanzees share 99.4 percent of functionally important DNA with humans and belong in our genus, Homo, according to a recent genetic study. Scientists analyzed 97 human genes, along with comparable sequences from chimps, gorillas, orangutans and Old World monkeys (a group that includes baboons and macaques). The researchers then took the DNA data and estimated genetic evolution over time. They determined that humans and chimps shared a common ancestor between 4 and 7 million years ago. That ancestor diverged from gorillas 6 to 7 million years ago.'" Genus is the next step up from species, if you recall your taxonomy. Humans are the only living species in genus homo, currently.

21 of 860 comments (clear)

  1. IM all for including some chimps in the human cat. by Unknown+Poltroon · · Score: 5, Funny

    But that on the condition that i can downgrade some humans to monkey.

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  2. I can hear the screaming.. by grub · · Score: 3, Funny


    All over North America, greasy rednecks with pimpish moustaches and long mullets are saying "What 're them scientist-types saying? They're calling me "homo"? I'm gonna kick all their asses."

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    Trolling is a art,
  3. We share many things in common with chimpanzees by diatonic · · Score: 5, Funny

    Goodman added, "In terms of culture, social behavior, language and other factors, we share many things in common with chimpanzees."

    There was a guy at a nursing home I worked at that would throw poop at the staff.

  4. Re:But isn't the real test... by feed_me_cereal · · Score: 3, Funny

    to see if they can make babies?

    are you signing up for the experiment?

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    "Question with boldness even the existence of a god." - Thomas Jefferson
  5. Can't resist by daves · · Score: 5, Funny

    Humans are the only living species in genus homo, currently.

    If we are the only species, that would make us "homo genus".

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  6. Chimps are slackers by doublem · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why not put them in the same Genus as us? They've had just as much time to evolve.

    Clearly, we made better use of that time than they did. They slacked off instead of evolving, so they don't get to be in the same rank.

    I don't get this desire to uplift losers with false titles designed to boost the self esteem of those who fell behind.

    Of course now with Hollywood and TV causing humans to devolve, the Chimps will have a chance to catch up.

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    1. Re:Chimps are slackers by MsGeek · · Score: 4, Funny
      They slacked off instead of evolving, so they don't get to be in the same rank.

      I think if you read your Book of the Subgenius you would understand that those slacker Chimps are more evolved than we are.

      Bonobos are even more evolved than Chimps because they settle things by having sex rather than by fighting.

      Bob said it, I believe it, that settles it.

      --
      Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power multiplied.
  7. Re:People don't realize.... by pi+radians · · Score: 4, Funny

    Did you just call my chimp gay? Cause that really pisses him off.

    Now the shits gunna fly!

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    sin(6cos(r)+5A)
  8. *Sigh* by 403Forbidden · · Score: 4, Funny

    5 million years apart and we still fling our poo at eachother...

    I think i see how we're 99.4% alike...

  9. Re:It's about time... by Funkitup · · Score: 3, Funny

    Nonsense, the human brain is at the pinical of evolution. Not only that, it has transcended evolution - we can now alter evolution and use it as a computer algorithm.

    It's about time the human race realised it is in _charge_ of its own destiny, and while nature is a powerful force, the concious mind is the greatest known thing on the planet. It should be developed and nurtured.

  10. Spelling police by bgarcia · · Score: 4, Funny
    The repulicans will like this... Another 50 million that pay taxes...
    Sorry, just had to point out that you misspelled democrats
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  11. Obligatory Friends quote.. by tfinniga · · Score: 3, Funny

    .. so what if it's not from the Simpsons, it's still good :)

    Joey: If the Homosapiens were, in fact, "Homo-sapien", is that why they're extinct?
    Ross: Joey, Homosapiens are people.
    Joey: Hey, I'm not judging.

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  12. The Chimps' Spokesman says 'No, thank you!" by budalite · · Score: 5, Funny

    And in other news, the Chimpanzee World Spokesman, uu uu waaa uuu u, says they want no part of any "tree" that has humans in it, thank you very much, and, besides, it's against THEIR religion to believe that humans evolved from Chimps. Especially the ones with fake hair.

  13. How to remember the taxonomic system by fudgefactor7 · · Score: 4, Funny

    REAL:..........MNEMONIC:

    Phylum.........Please
    Class...........Come
    Order..........Over
    Family..........For
    Genus..........Gay
    Species........Sex

    Thanks to Robert Smigel (his cartoons) and Saturday Night Live!

  14. I'll second that... by WIAKywbfatw · · Score: 4, Funny

    We share 50% of our DNA with lettuce - that's how common much of our genetic code is on the planet.

    Last time I checked, nobody was comparing the salad aisle of the supermarket for long-lost relatives.

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    "Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg
    1. Re:I'll second that... by Alric · · Score: 4, Funny

      Talk about code reuse...

      God's not a deity.

      He's just an advanced organic chemist with some crazy OOP skillz.

    2. Re:I'll second that... by davidstrauss · · Score: 3, Funny
      He's just an advanced organic chemist with some crazy OOP skillz.

      He's probably using Java, since multiple inheritance (two different species reproducing together) doesn't work.

  15. Re: didn't you learn it the /. way? by ip_vjl · · Score: 4, Funny

    Karma Points Come Only For Geeky Slashdotters

    (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species)

  16. Amazingly enough... by CptChipJew · · Score: 5, Funny

    Scientists then discovered that Apes have a 100% DNA match with Vin Diesel.

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  17. Mnemonics, was Re:Taxonomy by clintp · · Score: 3, Funny

    Or from the electronics geeks, for resistor values: Bad Boys Rape Our Young Girls But Violet Gives Willingly. (Black 0, Brown 1, Red 2, Orange 3, Yellow 4, Green 5, Blue 6, Violet 7, Grey 8, White 9).

    Boy did my HS Physics teacher get some weird looks for that mnemonic.

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  18. Re:Bogus by KDan · · Score: 3, Funny

    Come on, be more generous. If we don't include even them in the human genome, what chance does Bush stand???

    Daniel

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