The Genes of X-Men
When I saw this title from a CNET article, I knew it was a gross exaggeration.
X-men may be closer than you think
This is the justification for the title:
Succinctly, the human race is genetically mutating, and we now may know how and why–at least in part.
The article is about a form of oxidation (8-oxoG) causing DNA damage, specifically single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and recombinations between chromosomes. These types of mutations (and many others) are how humans evolved from slime mold to modern homo sapien and continue to evolve into who knows what form we’ll take (X-men?!) if we don’t self-destruct.
I should probably have a better sense of humor on a Friday and talking about X-men and genes certainly caught my attention. But, really, we are far from having sharp blades coming out of knuckles and the path genes are taking is definitely NOT at all close to X-men. So, don’t start freaking out!
NB: Read the comments at the end of the article. Spot on!
Also read what Carl Zimmer had to say.
Technorati Tags: xmen, x men, genes, genetics, genomics, genome, disease, health, dna
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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health
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6 opinions for The Genes of X-Men
river2sea72
May 6, 2006 at 10:18 am
Well, what else can you expect of media that has to pander to a science-illiterate readership?
Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD
May 6, 2006 at 1:24 pm
river2sea72: Sad, but true. Not to mention that the new X-men movie is being promoted now so I’m sure the commercial aspect has something to do with it. Money rules the world. :(
Tris Hussey
May 11, 2006 at 6:27 pm
Yeah … preying on the desire to be a superhero …
of course I’m not sure who I’d rather be … Wolverine or Cyclops ;).
The Homely Scientist » And this is why we’re here … we’re not really becoming X-men
May 11, 2006 at 8:51 pm
[…] river2sea72 Says: May 6th, 2006 at 10:18 am […]
Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD
May 12, 2006 at 5:30 am
Tris: You’re already a superhero in my eyes. *gag* ;)
Tris Hussey
May 12, 2006 at 8:11 am
Oooh jeez.
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