Extreme Genetic Changes in Humans Unlikely to Happen Again
New research suggests that once common extreme genetic changes in humans are unlikely to reoccur in the future
Genetics, Evolution, Research, Bristol, Australia
Melbourne: So, there’s this fascinating research that says extreme genetic changes in humans, which used to happen a lot, probably won’t happen again. It’s pretty wild to think about how our evolution has shaped us.
Scientists have been digging into how these changes occurred in the past. They found that certain traits popped up because they were super useful for survival. But now, with the way our environment is, those changes just aren’t needed anymore.
Dr. Tahlia Pollock, who led the study, mentioned that modern mammals use their teeth differently than ancient predators did. For example, lions and tigers have strong, sharp teeth that help them catch their prey effectively.
Pollock also pointed out that for something like the sabre-toothed cat to evolve again, we’d need some major environmental shifts. And honestly, that could take millions of years!
It’s interesting to see how our understanding of evolution is evolving too. The research was a team effort between Monash University and the University of Bristol, and they used some cool tech to analyze the teeth of various carnivorous mammals.
In the end, while we might not see those extreme changes again, it’s a reminder of how dynamic and fascinating evolution can be. Who knows what the future holds?