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Surprising Science

Sharing Genes

Genetic scientists are discovering hundreds of genes involved in human disorders by looking at the DNA of distantly-related species.

Genetic scientists are discovering hundreds of genes involved in human disorders by looking at the DNA of distantly-related species. “In our distant, amoeba-like ancestors, clusters of genes were already forming to work together on building cell walls and on other very basic tasks essential to life. Many of those genes still work together in those same clusters, over a billion years later, but on different tasks in different organisms.”


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