Remember when You thought Cousin Jethro looked like a Neanderthal? Were You Right?

Some groups of people today have more Neanderthal DNA than others!

You might recall those family gatherings when Cousin Jethro’s uncanny resemblance to a Neanderthal brought about a few chuckles. But did you know that the mystery of our shared Neanderthal connection runs deep, influencing the genes that define us today? Dive into the fascinating world of human evolution, as we explore the genetic legacy we owe to our ancient cousins.

Unlocking the Secrets of Our Ancestral DNA

• Modern humans who ventured into Asia around 60,000 years ago interbred with Neanderthals, and their descendants carried forward a piece of Neanderthal DNA.
• While this genetic connection is present in all humans outside Africa, it’s particularly abundant in the genomes of East Asian populations, a puzzle for scientists due to the absence of Neanderthal remains beyond the Altai Mountains in Central Asia.
• In East Asia, Neanderthal DNA can make up as much as 4% of an individual’s genetic makeup, compared to the average of 2% across Eurasia.

Cracking the Code: Unraveling the Neanderthal Connection

• Researchers from the University of Geneva delved into the distribution of Neanderthal DNA within human genomes over the last 40,000 years.
• Their findings revealed that the Neanderthal DNA…