Monday, June 13, 2011
Really, we are all mutants
Scientists have found that we have 60 different mutations in our DNA. Dailymail.co.uk states that:
"Findings by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge and two other institutes in the U.S. and Canada revealed each one of us receives up to 60 mutations in our genome from our parents.
It shows that human genomes (our genetic makeup carried on 23 pairs of chromosomes) are mutated in both sperm and egg cells, resulting in changes to our DNA seen in neither parent.
The studies also confounded previous theories over whether most mutations came from the mother or father, with results showing that it varied dramatically in each individual."
So really, we are all truly mutants.
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Very interesting stuff. Just goes to show the amazing variety in life, humans included. Also goes to show how the definition of "mutation" in the real world is worlds away from hollywood's definition. Though, the latter definition -does- make for better movies.
ReplyDeleteOn that thought, I need to go start practicing my laser vision :P
I knew we were mutants just not the x-men kind :P. But this does open the possibility that genes could become as mutated as x-men ones...hmmm
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