Decode the gorilla genome

Cambridge researchers have deciphered the genetic code of a gorilla called Kamilah. Research shows that the human genome is similar to the gorilla genome. The team hopes to discover genetic mutations that lead to the formation and development of culture, language and science. The study results are published in the journal Nature.

>>>Wild gorillas can also eat raw meat

Many human genes resemble gorilla genes

The DNA sequence of humans, chimpanzees and orangutans has now been published. The initial comparison confirms that chimpanzees are the closest relative of humans with 99% of homologous DNA. Followed by gorillas with 98% and orangutans ranked third with 97%. That reflects the evolutionary history of monkeys. Comparing the genome shows that humans separated from orangutans 14 million years ago, gorillas 10 million years ago and chimpanzees 6 million years ago. Although closest to genetic chimpanzees, many human genes resemble gorilla genes, one of which has a gene that allows humans and gorillas to sound better than other monkeys. This denies the hypothesis that hearing development allows people to develop language. Medical researchers are also interested in a mutation that causes dementia in humans, but it seems that gorillas are completely unaffected.

Comparative research will also shed more light on the evolution of all the great monkeys, but the biggest question is when the first genes make human beings capable of abstract thinking appear. Homo sapiens appear about 200,000 years ago, but the human brain only started to develop a difference about 50,000 years ago. At that time, mankind was one of the few monkey species in Africa that could have a life not so different from a gorilla. Therefore, the assumption is that there was something that happened very quickly during this time which led to the emergence of abstract thinking, allowing people to invent advanced tools and use them.

The genome sequence of all large monkeys will help scientists answer what happened in the past 200,000 years to allow humans to evolve today.