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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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To: Cheburashka

No, that’s if you have penis envy.


61 posted on 03/10/2011 3:10:28 PM PST by Crcl1
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To: frithguild

That is proof that if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.


62 posted on 03/10/2011 3:18:02 PM PST by Jonty30
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To: Cardhu

BS!


63 posted on 03/10/2011 3:21:37 PM PST by JamesA (You don't have to be big to stand tall)
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To: Cardhu

Also discovered: Loss of spinal DNA turned humans into liberal Dems and RINOS.


64 posted on 03/10/2011 3:22:17 PM PST by Fledermaus (It's time for conservatives to take the country back. Atlas is Shrugging. WINNING!)
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To: Cardhu; tiapam; jaycee; Randy Larsen; All

*****” For humans, it is almost impossible to tell when the female is fertile..............(so frequent matings would be necessary to ensure paternity”)**********

Try looking for PMS symptoms....... - then mating would only be necessary once a month for procreation......

•Symptoms start sometime after ovulation, which occurs about two weeks before the start of a period. Typically, symptoms occur during the five days before a period. However, some women have symptoms for two weeks or so leading up to a period. Typically, symptoms gradually get worse as the period approaches.
•Symptoms go within three to four days after your period starts.
•Symptoms that occur all the time are not due to PMS.
.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Premenstrual-Syndrome.htm


65 posted on 03/10/2011 3:24:59 PM PST by yorkie
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To: Slings and Arrows

While posters are concentrating on their penises, I’m wondering why men can grow full beards if they have lost the gene to do so.

But that’s just me.


66 posted on 03/10/2011 3:28:12 PM PST by TheOldLady
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To: Cardhu

I read that Monica still loves Bill. I wonder what she thinks of all this. Do cigars have spines?


67 posted on 03/10/2011 3:37:10 PM PST by Rannug
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To: Cardhu
hence, the prolificity of bunnies and their hmmmm actions..


68 posted on 03/10/2011 3:37:51 PM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard .. Obama: Epic Fail or Bust!!!)
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To: yorkie

Oh I don’t have to do all that book learning stuff to know. I check the calendar for the the last time I was in the dawg haus and figure it out from there.

Of course I am bad at math, have a bad memory and a short attention span. But there it is fun even if I don`t win the lottery.


69 posted on 03/10/2011 3:38:34 PM PST by Cardhu
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To: Cardhu
"I check the calendar for the last time I was in the dawg haus and figure it out from there"

What do you write on your calendar?

("Oops, I did it AGAIN!") ?

70 posted on 03/10/2011 3:44:41 PM PST by yorkie
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To: yorkie; Cardhu

71 posted on 03/10/2011 3:49:17 PM PST by tiapam
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To: Cardhu
Speak for yourself.

Got the whiskers and the spine.

72 posted on 03/10/2011 3:56:53 PM PST by x
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To: yorkie

Check my things to do list - like get some new furniture for the dawg house - check off two weeks of days. Consider getting a double bed so my PMS lady could move in from time to time - or just resign myself to posting on FR.


73 posted on 03/10/2011 3:59:20 PM PST by Cardhu
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To: tiapam

No dear, of course not dear - my what a beautiful smile you have.


74 posted on 03/10/2011 4:03:33 PM PST by Cardhu
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To: x

Damn, I gave up the spine for a bigger brain - what a fool I was.


75 posted on 03/10/2011 4:08:19 PM PST by Cardhu
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To: Cardhu
There IS a way men can stay out of the dawg haus........

Stay out of the Dog House (Click here)

76 posted on 03/10/2011 4:14:27 PM PST by yorkie
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To: yorkie

WOW! Great info on how to get out of the dawg haus - thanks yorkie - J.C.Penny’s Jewelry (cubic zirconias)


77 posted on 03/10/2011 4:25:43 PM PST by Cardhu
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To: Larry Lucido

I took the word “spine” as in “backbone”.

You think *you* guys were saying “WTF?!?!”.....


78 posted on 03/10/2011 4:36:37 PM PST by Salamander (I may be lonely but I'm never alone...and the nights may pass me by......but I never cry.)
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To: Allegra; CSM; dayglored; Dutchgirl; Eaker; GQuagmire; IYAS9YAS; Jersey Republican Biker Chick; ...
♀☹☠☣☢★☆
MANGLED
GENITALS
PING

☆★☢☣☠☹♂

79 posted on 03/10/2011 4:51:23 PM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: martin_fierro

ROTF, Martin!!!!!


80 posted on 03/10/2011 4:52:42 PM PST by yorkie
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