-Caveat Lector- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=000343180237640&rtmo=glbYnjku&atmo=99999999 &pg=/et/99/12/2/ecnevo02.html Human evolution slowed down by central heating By Roger Highfield HUMAN beings are in the slow lane of evolution, according to a study that suggests that changes to our species will be more to do with culture than biology. In the natural world, evolution is driven when the environment alters, for example as a result of climate change. While insects, plants and animals have to adapt to global warming, humans turn down the central heating, wear less clothing and use more air conditioning. The slow down in human evolution has long been suspected and evidence is published today in Nature in a study that compares the genetic code of mice, humans and chickens. Surprisingly, people may have more in common with chickens than with mice. The mouse genetic code "has evolved faster and man evolves the slowest", said Dr David Burt of the Roslin Institute, Edinburgh. Humans adapt to new conditions "by using our brains and creating solutions with our hands. We are less vulnerable to environmental changes", he said. With colleagues, he has been mapping the genome - the large-scale organisation of genes - in the domestic chicken, and comparing their gene maps with what is known for mice and humans. The study focuses on genes shared by many organisms and shows that the chicken and human gene maps share more features of their organisation - in terms of the relative placement of genes - than either does with the mouse gene map. "Birds and mammals arose from a common ancestor over 300 million years ago," said Dr Burt. "So we had expected many more genetic re-arrangements over this much longer time scale than found between two mammals, such as human and mouse." But the study showed 100 large blocks of the genetic code were similar in a comparison of the birds and humans, while 200 smaller blocks were similar in a comparison of humans and mice. It seems that the rodent genetic code has evolved much faster, particularly over the past few tens of millions of years, than that in the lineages leading to either humans or chickens. "Evolution has occurred at least 10 times faster during the evolution of mice, than in chicken or man," he said. ======================= Robert F. Tatman Computer Help Desk Desktop & LAN Services Systems Department Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc. [EMAIL PROTECTED] 215.854.2729 215.854.2788 The contents of this message represent the opinion only of the writer, and may not be construed to indicate the endorsement of Knight-Ridder, Inc.; Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc.; The Philadelphia Inquirer; or the Philadelphia Daily News. "Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity." DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
