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The study shows that intelligence in humans developed as the result of an increase in the number of brain genes in our evolutionary ancestors.
The researchers suggest that a simple invertebrate animal living in the sea 500 million years ago experienced a 'genetic accident', which resulted in extra copies of these genes being made.
Originally posted by Quadrivium
I was on Science Daily and ran across this.
Researchers have identified the moment in history when the genes that enabled us to think and reason evolved.
This point 500 million years ago provided our ability to learn complex skills, analyse situations and have flexibility in the way in which we think.
Professor Seth Grant, of the University of Edinburgh, who led the research, said: "One of the greatest scientific problems is to explain how intelligence and complex behaviours arose during evolution."
www.sciencedaily.com...
The research team studied the mental abilities of mice and humans, using comparative tasks that involved identifying objects on touch-screen computers.
Researchers then combined results of these behavioural tests with information from the genetic codes of various species to work out when different behaviours evolved.
They found that higher mental functions in humans and mice were controlled by the same genes.
This should lead to better ways to treat those with mental illness. I know a few people that could use all the help they can get ( a few here on ATS ).
Thought I would share this and get some thoughts on the research.
Quadedit on 3-12-2012 by Quadrivium because: link
Originally posted by kdog1982
Yes,I read that earlier today.
500 million years ago?
Yes,I know,that was the spark,so when did we make our first spear?
Originally posted by Quadrivium
reply to post by Bleeeeep
They have been brain washed to believe if it comes from a scientist it is the absolute truth. I find they are dumbing our children down by only giving them one choice....Evolution.
Originally posted by rebelv
"This point 500 million years ago provided our ability to learn complex skills, analyse situations
and have flexibility in the way in which we think. "
Humm, I am pretty sure that human beings did not exist 500 million years ago, so who are
these scientists referring to...? Obviously some kind of theoretical hominid that they
hypothesize is related to the evolution of human beings (Homo sapiens) which wouldn't
happen for several hundred MILLION years.
Originally posted by PhoenixOD
reply to post by AfterInfinity
Of course if this is true then it reduces the chance of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe. It would prove that Intelligence is not something we can expect through the normal course of evolution but something that was a freak accident.