On Sat, 31 May 2003, Dave Gordon wrote:
> ... Genetically humanity has only a single racial group. ...
> they demonstrated from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis that
> ..., for example the largest known
> number of mutation differences between two people in their mitochondrial
> DNA ...
I am not a geneticist, so comment only because the argument appears to be
based on value-laden interpretations of technical terms. My question
would be whether the "human genome", as reflected in specific phenotypes,
properly includes mtDNA. My (lay, uninformed) understanding is that the
chromosomal DNA determines phenotype and is affected by Darwinian forces;
mtDNA is subject only to random mutations, and that is why it is used as a
timing mechanism to estimate divergences. Mitochondria (I understand)
provide the site for energy metabolism so have to function adequately and
similarly in every cell of any species.
It was reported last week that some scientists want Chimpanzees to be
included in genus Homo. I doubt they would consider it a promotion.
R. Allan Reese Email: [log in to unmask]
Associate Manager GRI Direct voice: +44 1482 466845
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Hull University, Hull HU6 7RX, UK. Fax: +44 1482 466436
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The management here were SO impressed with W Edward Deming's "Out of
the crisis" that they are working flat out to create THE BEST crisis;
then they can start implementing the 13 obligations.
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