First gorilla genome map offers clues to human evolution

The first complete gorilla genome has been mapped by scientists giving fresh insights into our own origins.

Gorilla are the last of the genus of living great apes (humans, chimpanzees, gorillas and orang-utans) to have their DNA decoded, offering new perspectives on their evolution and biology.

"The gorilla genome is important because it sheds light on the time when our ancestors diverged from our closest evolutionary cousins around six to 10 million years ago," says Aylwyn Scally, postdoctoral fellow at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge and lead author of the report.

FULL STORY

Post by: Matthew Knight for CNN
Filed under: Human ancestors • On Earth

soundoff (7 Responses)

Sumo

Evolution? Bah! I didn't come from some dirty monkey! I came from a combination of god-magic and some guy's rib!

April 3, 2012 at 3:50 pm |
pockets

Now of course the religious community of nutbars will say that Sarah Palin has all the answers about humans living with the dinosaurs......can't you just wait for their response to this news.

March 15, 2012 at 7:07 pm |
LOOK AT IT LIKE THIS PEOPLE

white people came from apes JUST HAD BLONDE HAIR & AN RARE INDEED FOR AN AFRICAN TO HAVE SILKY BLONDE LONG STRAIGHT NATURAL HAIR! GET OVER IT!

March 11, 2012 at 9:01 pm |
Ian

Fascinating to see this stuff. Really makes you think.

March 11, 2012 at 9:54 am |
This_blank

I am also going to keep this article so if i happen to murder someone i will use this to plea down to animal cruelity

March 8, 2012 at 5:33 pm |
This_blank

Im so excited i feel like going outside & throwing feces at the other apes driving down the street

March 8, 2012 at 5:30 pm |
rlong

Well, that proves it! There's no more mystery! The Guerrilla had the gene which allows, "OBESITY", just like us.

March 8, 2012 at 4:08 pm |