More Ancient Viruses Lurk in Human DNA Than Previously Thought

[HuckleB]

http://www.biosciencetechnology.com/news/2016/03/more-ancient-viruses-lurk-human-dna-previously-thought

"Think your DNA is all human? Think again. And a new discovery suggests it's even less human than scientists previously thought.

Nineteen new pieces of non-human DNA -- left by viruses that first infected our ancestors hundreds of thousands of years ago -- have just been found, lurking between our own genes.

And one stretch of newfound DNA, found in about 50 of the 2,500 people studied, contains an intact, full genetic recipe for an entire virus, say the scientists who published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Whether or not it can replicate, or reproduce, it isn't yet known. But other studies of ancient virus DNA have shown it can affect the humans who carry it.

..."

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Very interesting stuff.

[hobbit709]

1. Humans are GMO.

[KamaAina]

2. Sounds like a sweet movie treatment.

It's as if "Jurassic Park" was taking place inside us!

[HuckleB]

3. Oh, I think you have yourself a plot for a blockbuster sci-fi story!

[KamaAina]

4. Can Mayim Bialik play the surprisingly hot paleobiologist?

Please?

I actually knew someone in college who was interested in paleobiology! She, too, was surprisingly hot!