Ancient virus DNA thrives in us (material, infected, light, compare)

[Brian.Pearson]

Traces of ancient viruses which infected our ancestors millions of years ago are more widespread in us than previously thought.


A study shows how extensively viruses from as far back as the dinosaur era still thrive in our genetic material.



It sheds light on the origins of a big proportion of our genetic material, much of which is still not understood.


The scientists investigated the genomes of 38 mammals including humans, mice, rats, elephants and dolphins.

[Six Foot Three]

These kind of stories i like and i womder if they can/will activate some of our ''currently'' shut down DNA (Junk) in the far disstant future to mutate us to produce some other pheno type of body part or maybe even a new species next in line after Sapiens .

[Brian.Pearson]

Originally Posted by 6 Foot 3

These kind of stories i like and i womder if they can/will activate some of our ''currently'' shut down DNA (Junk) in the far disstant future to mutate us to produce some other pheno type of body part or maybe even a new species next in line after Sapiens .

Seems to me I read that junk DNA has it's own uses. I can't recall what those uses are.

[uggabugga]

Originally Posted by Brian.Pearson

Seems to me I read that junk DNA has it's own uses. I can't recall what those uses are.

this is a good overview.

The trouble with genes | COSMOS magazine

cool original article, btw. an estimated 8.3% of the human genome is composed of viral sequences - compared to the ~2% that actually encode proteins.