Neanderthals could walk again after discovery of genetic code

[Geriatrix]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1143883/Neanderthals-walk-discovery-genetic-code.html

Neanderthals are a step closer to walking on Earth again.

Scientists have unravelled the genetic code of man's closest cousin using fragments of bone found across Europe.

The blueprint could provide information on the Neanderthal's looks, intelligence, health and habits, as well as what makes us human.

It also raises the intriguing possibility of bringing our ancient relatives, who died out around 30,000 years ago, back from the dead.

Researcher Professor Jean-Jacques Hublin said: 'Studying the Neanderthals and studying the Neanderthal genome will tell us what makes modern humans really human, why we are alone, why we have these amazing capabilities that allowed our ancestors to draw paintings, to create complex symbols.'

Scientists from the Max Planck Institute in Germany and US colleagues sequenced more than one billion fragments of DNA extracted from bones of Neanderthal men, women and children that lay undiscovered in caves in Croatia, Spain, Germany and Russia for up to 70,000 years.

They have decoded 63 per cent of the Neanderthal's DNA and have started comparing it with the man's genetic code to work out what makes us human.

So far, they have shown the Neanderthals lacked the gene that allows most Europeans to digest milk as adults.

However, they were privy to a gene key to speech, meaning there is no reason to assume they could not talk, the American Association for Advancement of Science's annual conference in Chicago heard...

 

[Picard]

But I thought they have been among us all the time. And, since recently, in various influential positions.

 

[Devill]

But I thought they have been among us all the time. And, since recently, in various influential positions.

// *Cough cough* Julius.

This is very interesting and it sets me wondering if some lactose intolerant people might not have some neanderthal genes

 

[Xarog]

I can't see how a species that could talk could not paint as well. And that kinda blows the whole idea of humans being "unique" out of the water. Which in turn means we'll potentially be experimenting with and creating living beings which actually deserve "human" rights.

I think this whole thing is going to end up lighting a fuse in a dynamite factory.

 

[Picard]

I can't understand how some peoples learned how to paint and to practice crafts but not to develop a written language.