-------- Original Message -------- Subject: [evol-psych] The left can celebrate the latest news on genes, but not too much Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 14:02:07 -0000 From: "Ian Pitchford" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: "Ian Pitchford" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Organization: http://www.human-nature.com/darwin/index.html To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> NEW STATESMAN Brotherhood of man and roundworm Ziauddin Sardar Monday 19th February 2001 The left can celebrate the latest news on genes, but not too much. By Ziauddin Sardar Rejoice, my fellow lefties! We were right all along. Human beings, it turns out, are much more than the products of their genes. Now that scientists have actually read and analysed the human genome they completed sequencing last June, biological determinists do not know whether to laugh or cry. But they are definitely turning red all over. The simultaneous publication of the results of the Human Genome Project, by the publicly funded International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium and the private American company Celera Genomics, contains many surprises. The biggest surprise is the actual number of genes in the human genome.For decades, scientists have been predicting there would be between 80,000 and 150,000; the real number turns out to be around 30,000. This is hardly more than the tiny plant thale cress with 25,495 genes, the fruit fly with 13,601 and the roundworm with 19,099. Full text: http://www.newstatesman.co.uk/200102190009.htm News in Brain and Behavioural Sciences http://human-nature.com/nibbs/ To subscribe/unsubscribe/select DIGEST go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/evolutionary-psychology Join the Human Behaviour and Evolution Society http://www.des.ucdavis.edu/hbesrenew/ _______________________________________________ CrashList website: http://website.lineone.net/~resource_base
