Shark 6th Sense Related to Human Evolution?

An anonymous reader writes "Scientists at the University of Florida are claiming that certain genes found in sharks that give them their 'sixth sense' and allow them to detect electrical signals could also be responsible for the development of the head and facial features in humans. From the article: 'The researchers examined embryos of the lesser spotted catshark. Using molecular tests, they found two independent genetic markers of neural crest cells in the sharks' electroreceptors. Neural crest cells are embryonic cells that pinch off early in development to form a variety of structures. In humans, these cells contribute to the formation of facial bones and teeth, among other things.'"

Comments

Re:I don't get it.

[Mr. Underbridge]

I don't understand why the evolutionists always use new, would-be completely neutral discoveries to try and push their agenda.

"Evolutionists" don't have an agenda, unless you count science as an "agenda." We don't consider science to be subject to public policy, and as such, laymen don't get a vote.

This has absolutely nothing to do with evolution

If you believe in the general concept of "science" it absolutely does.

My point isn't to try and start a flame war, just simply that it's poor journalism to take something completely irrelevant to origin of life

Read the damned article. They're talking about the same stem cells in the embryo developing into electrosensors in sharks and ears in humans. That absolutely has everything to do with embryonic development which is known to mirror vertebrate evolution, at least to those who follow science.

It makes for bad science.

Are you a scientist? Because among actual scientists, evolution is as much an established fact as gravity. Don't fall off the edge of the flat earth on your way out the door.