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Shedding our penis spines helped us become human, DNA study hints
Guardian ^ | Wednesday 9 March 2011 | Ian Sample

Posted on 03/10/2011 1:50:12 PM PST by Cardhu

Genetic comparison with chimps suggests that losing chunks of DNA – including one associated with penis spines and facial whiskers – played a crucial role in making us human.

Scientists have identified a clutch of subtle genetic changes that have shaped our minds and bodies into the unique form that sets humans apart from chimpanzees and the rest of the animal kingdom.

The work by researchers in the US represents a landmark in a search that has occupied philosophers and scientists for millennia and one that goes to the heart of understanding what it means to be human.

The findings offer up the humbling conclusion that the secret of human success may owe more to what we lost along the path of evolution, rather than anything we gained.

When the human genome was first deciphered more than a decade ago, some scientists expected to find extra genes that explained why humans had an intellectual edge over their closest living relatives and other species. But since diverging from chimpanzees around seven million years ago, it turns out that our human ancestors lost several hundred snippets of DNA, which together led to traits that are uniquely human, the researchers claim.

In ditching these chunks of DNA, our ancient ancestors lost facial whiskers and short, tactile spines on their penises. The latter development is thought to have paved the way for more intimate sex and monogamous relationships. The loss of other DNA may have been crucial in allowing humans to grow larger brains.

Intriguingly, hardly any of the lost DNA was from genes, which make the proteins that are the building blocks of life. Instead, the missing DNA came from areas of the genome that regulate where and when certain genes are active.

(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Education; Science
KEYWORDS: getaspine; godsgravesglyphs; helixmakemineadouble; napl; penis; spinelessdick; spines
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"The loss of penile spines may have allowed our ancient ancestors to copulate for longer, a development thought to have nurtured monogamous couples and paved the way for more complex social structures"

Damn! I thought it was the other way around.

1 posted on 03/10/2011 1:50:17 PM PST by Cardhu
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To: Cardhu
whatever.


2 posted on 03/10/2011 1:52:10 PM PST by Christian Engineer Mass (25ish Cambridge MA grad student. Many younger conservative Christians out there? __ Click my name)
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To: Cardhu

Good thinking, Link!! LOL Bob


3 posted on 03/10/2011 1:52:58 PM PST by alstewartfan ("He's only come to bring another perfect dream." Al Stewart from "Shah of Shahs")
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To: Cardhu

The jokes will write themselves since they studied the penis spines.

The jokes will write themselves too, regarding “gay” men, I’m sure. We’ve all heard the joke about how homo-erectus moved to San Francisco.


4 posted on 03/10/2011 1:53:05 PM PST by Dilbert San Diego
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To: Cardhu

What the...! Am I the only one whose spines are still intact...!?


5 posted on 03/10/2011 1:54:37 PM PST by freebilly
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To: Cardhu

It never ceases to amaze me at how much detail these scientists can infer from evidence that isnt there.


6 posted on 03/10/2011 1:55:24 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: Cardhu

7 posted on 03/10/2011 1:55:37 PM PST by starlifter (Pullum sapit)
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To: freebilly
Am I the only one whose spines are still intact...!?

Nope. I'm not married too.

8 posted on 03/10/2011 1:56:02 PM PST by lowbridge (Rep. Dingell: "Its taken a long time.....to control the people.")
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To: sauropod

.


9 posted on 03/10/2011 1:56:19 PM PST by sauropod (The truth shall make you free but first it will make you miserable.)
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To: Cardhu

Thank goodness.


10 posted on 03/10/2011 1:56:29 PM PST by skeeter
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To: alstewartfan

WOW! six reply’s in 20 seconds — I am glad we have so many science mavins on FR.


11 posted on 03/10/2011 1:57:23 PM PST by Cardhu
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To: starlifter

12 posted on 03/10/2011 1:58:10 PM PST by library user (Just because you're homeless doesn't mean you're lazy.)
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To: Cardhu

Yup, they’re still trying to figure out/convince the gullible how you can throw a ton of TNT into a junk yard and come out with a Lexis dealership and showroom floor.


13 posted on 03/10/2011 1:58:36 PM PST by Jim W N
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To: Cardhu

Useless fact for the day: the penis spine in most mammals is more properly called the “oosik”.

Don’t ask me how I know that, because it involves a crazy redhead from Bavaria and a guy who fears people touching his guitar.


14 posted on 03/10/2011 1:58:48 PM PST by DemforBush (With a Bocephus sticker on his 442, he'd light 'em up just for fun)
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To: Cardhu
Penile spines – which make the penis more sensitive and speed ejaculation – are more common in animals that face intense competition for mates, and where females are likely to mate with many males in rapid succession. The loss of penile spines may have allowed our ancient ancestors to copulate for longer, a development thought to have nurtured monogamous couples and paved the way for more complex social structures.

So, those who have premature-ejaculation issue are more likely to live in promiscuity?

15 posted on 03/10/2011 1:59:28 PM PST by paudio (The differences between Clinton and 0bama? About a dozen of former Democratic Congressmen.)
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To: Cardhu
Aha, that's why Barack is superhuman. He's shed both his wiener and his spine.
16 posted on 03/10/2011 1:59:42 PM PST by rfp1234 (Le Parti du The'. Ne marchez pas sur moi!)
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To: Christian Engineer Mass

I saw this article several times at various sites throughout the day and thought, hey, whatever.


17 posted on 03/10/2011 2:00:02 PM PST by lbryce (BHO:Satan's Evil Twin)
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To: Cardhu
our ancient ancestors lost facial whiskers and short, tactile spines on their penises.

Lost 'em?

They should have paid more attention to where they leave things.

If I've told my kids that once I've told them a thousand times.

18 posted on 03/10/2011 2:00:30 PM PST by humblegunner (Blogger Overlord)
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To: freebilly
Am I the only one whose spines are still intact...!?

Veeery interesting

19 posted on 03/10/2011 2:00:37 PM PST by Cardhu
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To: Cardhu

We shed them...then along came Viagra and four-hour erections!


20 posted on 03/10/2011 2:01:36 PM PST by Palladin (Obama, go back to Hawaii! Better yet, go back to Kenya!!)
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