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IPFS News Link • Science, Medicine and Technology

Tiny evolutionary mutation led to 'language gene'

• AFP
Two minute changes in a gene that is otherwise identical in humans and chimps could explain why we have full-fledged power of speech while other primates can only grunt or screech, scientists said on Wednesday.

The findings may also point to new drug targets for hard-to-treat diseases that disrupt speech, such as schizophrenia and autism, they said.

A decade ago, researchers discovered that members of an extended family beset with a rare inherited speech disorder all shared the same defect in a gene called FOXP2.

Investigators then found that a small number of patients with another speech-related disease, developmental dysphasia, also had mutations in the gene.

3 Comments in Response to

Comment by Lucky Red
Entered on:

 A gene that's identical in humans and chimps?  Heeeeey, you're not implying that we came from monkeys or any of that heretic crap, are you?  Cause me, I and myself, we created from a heap of manure by our lord...errr...our lord....damn, what's his name again?

Comment by Powell Gammill
Entered on:

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v462/n7270/edsumm/e091112-08.html

Comment by Powell Gammill
Entered on:

http://www.livescience.com/health/091111-human-speech-gene.html



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