Sounds eminently possible to me.
For some reason people often forget that genes don't act in isolation. This forgetfulness manifests itself especially when they "find" the "language gene" or the "homosexual gene" etc. And aren't the associations found usually correlations? --Mike On Fri, May 29, 2009 at 9:52 AM, Jim Clark <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi > > Is it possible that all brain components necessary for language (presumably > there are many?) might individually be found in different species but that > the unique combination necessary for language only occurs in humans? And > does an association between a particular gene and specific language > dysfunctions necessarily mean that the gene primarily serves a linguistic > purpose? Genes important for sequential actions, for example, presumably > would disrupt sequential linguistic functions (e.g., articulation) as well > as other sequences of behavior that have similar demands for ordered > responding. > > Take care > Jim > > James M. Clark > Professor of Psychology > 204-786-9757 > 204-774-4134 Fax > [email protected] > > Department of Psychology > University of Winnipeg > Winnipeg, Manitoba > R3B 2E9 > CANADA > > > >>> "Mike Palij" <[email protected]> 29-May-09 8:05 AM >>> > In the NY Times Nicholas Wade has an article on the role that > a gene (FOXP2) has in language usage. He points out that this gene > attracted attention when a defective version of it was found in > a London family that had problems in articulation and aspects of > grammar. FOXP2 is found in other species but in a somewhat > different form. Chimpanzees and mice have it and Wade describes > some recently published research that tansplanted the human > version of FOXP2 into mice. Did the mice begin to speak? Will > the IRB permit similar work with chimpanzees? Things that make > you go "Hmmmmm...". > > Wade's article is available at the following addresss: > > http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/29/science/29mouse.html?_r=1&ref=science > > The original research article which was published in the journal Cell > by Wolfgan Enard and about 50 co-authors is available at this site: > > http://www.cell.com/fulltext/S0092-8674(09)00378-X > > Hmmm, maybe language isn't such a unique human capability after all? > > -Mike Palij > New York University > [email protected] > > > --- > To make changes to your subscription contact: > > Bill Southerly ([email protected]) > > > --- > To make changes to your subscription contact: > > Bill Southerly ([email protected]) > --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
