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The Human Mutation

eldavojohn writes "Scientists in China have announced finding the gene that makes us human. The article explains that prior work has shown that humans, as compared with the great apes from which we diverged over 5 million years ago, have a longer form of a protein (type II neuropsin) located in the pre-frontal cortex of the brain. From the article: 'Gene sequencing revealed a mutation specific to humans that triggers a change in the splicing pattern of the neuropsin gene, creating a new splicing site and a longer protein. Introducing this mutation into chimpanzee DNA resulted in the creation of type II neuropsin. "Hence, the human-specific mutation is not only necessary but also sufficient in creating the novel splice form," the authors state.' The team is urging further analysis of the extra 45 amino acids in type II neuropsin since they believe that chain may cause protein structural and functional changes. The research didn't link anything with this protein, simply identifying it as a very distinct difference between us and our closest cousins."

10 of 339 comments (clear)

  1. Uh oh, by LurkerXXX · · Score: 5, Funny

    Putting human brain genes in chimps, this is how it all starts. A thousand years from now some astronaut returning to earth is going to be saying "Get your hands off me, you damn dirty ape!"

  2. Good job by LBArrettAnderson · · Score: 4, Funny

    The article explains that prior work has shown that humans, as compared with the great apes from which we diverged over 5 million years ago, have ...

    Now that the prior work is already covered, the AACS can't copyright us.

  3. Mix this protein into a food chain and... by Ruvim · · Score: 4, Funny

    You have 6bln more monkeys running around the Earth.

  4. The best part about this protein.... by chiph · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...is that your pets have been already eating it for two months!

    Chip H.

  5. Re:Obligatory Planet of the Apes by Mr.+Bad+Example · · Score: 5, Funny

    > I for one, welcome our new english speaking tyrannical ape-like overlords.

    You're about six years too late for that.

  6. Actually, I expect something else... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    They'll just find that it contains the 09 F9 number when the gene sequence has every two base pairs encoded as one hex digit. Then they'll sue everyone who has sex in the USA for "unauthorized trafficking" per the DMCA.

    The only good side of this is that, for once, Slashdotters will NOT be affected :)

  7. Re:Obligatory Planet of the Apes by rubycodez · · Score: 5, Funny

    that's a very disrespectful comparison to the chief and vice executives, you should be ashamed. Apes are noble creatures.

  8. A new form of that old cliche by sabernet · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now, with the introduction of said protein, putting a hundred monkeys into a room with typewriters will indeed produce a work the likes of William Shakespear. Only now the chimps will each sue each other for infringing on each other's intellectual property.

  9. Re:Obligatory Planet of the Apes by MightyYar · · Score: 4, Funny

    Politicians have been around a lot longer than that.

    --
    W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
  10. Re:Obligatory Planet of the Apes by Glytch · · Score: 5, Funny

    >> I for one, welcome our new english speaking tyrannical ape-like overlords.

    > You're about six years too late for that.

    The original poster said "english speaking", clearly this can't be a reference to the president.