Study Detects Recent Instance of Human Evolution 503
The New York Times is running a Sunday article regarding new evidence about 'recent' human evolution. A research team at the University of Maryland has done some work looking at the rise of lactose tolerance in the human populations of Africa. From the article: "The principal mutation, found among Nilo-Saharan-speaking ethnic groups of Kenya and Tanzania, arose 2,700 to 6,800 years ago, according to genetic estimates, Dr. Tishkoff's group is to report in the journal Nature Genetics on Monday. This fits well with archaeological evidence suggesting that pastoral peoples from the north reached northern Kenya about 4,500 years ago and southern Kenya and Tanzania 3,300 years ago ... Genetic evidence shows that the mutations conferred an enormous selective advantage on their owners, enabling them to leave almost 10 times as many descendants as people without them. The mutations have created 'one of the strongest genetic signatures of natural selection yet reported in humans,' the researchers write. "
I welcome our new lactose-intol... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Speculation, I don't see how it makes a differe (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Speculation, I don't see how it makes a differe (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Bah, forget that (Score:5, Funny)
Why go to Africa (Score:2, Funny)
Re:They don't explain WHY (Score:5, Funny)
Because you're far more likely to survive the couple of millenia between domesticating cattle and making your first gun if you can tolerate lactose.
Re:Speculation, I don't see how it makes a differe (Score:5, Funny)
Re:No way! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:diarrhea. (Score:1, Funny)
Just FYI the Internet is full of people like that.
A dangerous and incorrect fallacy (Score:3, Funny)
It is hard to determine if this study and many other recent similar ones implying recent evolution in humans are driven by mere ignorance or if more sinister motives are at work. The author referenced here, one Nicholas Wade, is notable for engaging in ideologically dubious activities, such as his recent book "Before the Dawn". He must be watched closely, or his dangerous line of thinking might be allowed to spread among the easily manipulated masses.
Prof. Beata Brattenschlick
Dept. of Deconstruction, University of Copenhagen
References:
"Before the Dawn":
http://www.amazon.com/Before-Dawn-Recovering-Hist
"Breakthrough in human genetics":
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N2220502
Re:Milk and Honey (Score:3, Funny)
Eve, lilith (who was obviously evil because she considerd herself an equal of man) or the other one that adam saw being created and was too disgusted to go near after realising she was made of meat.
Or the other tribes the kane and able encountered during their wanderings?
Oh you never bothered to read the Kabbalah? Maybe you ought to check the orignal source material...
There are 2 kinds of people that have read the bible: those that have understood it, and christians.
Re:No way! (Score:3, Funny)
You've got some troubles with irony now don't you?
Re:Don't think so. (Score:5, Funny)
I see about a billion websites that beg to differ...
You fucked it up.. (Score:3, Funny)
Execpt that it's too late, it already happend.
Re:Micro vs Macro (Score:5, Funny)
Obligatory (Score:4, Funny)
In Soviet Russia, lactose evolves tolerance for YOU!
Re:Why is it always "mutation" (Score:1, Funny)
I am dead, you insensitive clod!
Re:No way! (Score:2, Funny)
>He didn't say anything about this kind of thing!
Jesus was very consistent on Evolution. He never said anything about it. So clearly his response was whatever the fanatical Christians believe.
(with apologies to Colbert)
Re:Milk and Honey (Score:2, Funny)
/ducks tomato
Re:Micro vs Macro (Score:3, Funny)
Do you always bring it up without any evidence to corroborate your claim?
Re:Why is it always "mutation" (Score:3, Funny)
They cannot compete with the sheer truthiness of revealed insight.
Re:Ah yes, the exception. (Score:3, Funny)
Milk - check (as long as they didn't go a long time between being weaned and drinking milk as an adult).
Crawling/toddling - well, they are quadrupeds.
Tantrums - oh hell yeah, check.
Babbling - check. They don't know why they hell they're meowing, they just want you to listen to them.
Toys - toy mice count, right?
As far as that goes, I'm pretty sure I could apply these to dogs as well. I know at least one pit bull (belonging to my GF's folks) that fits all of the above except the milk part.