Human lack of genetic diversity

[Murdstone]

"Unlike our close genetic relatives - chimps - all humans have virtually identical DNA. In fact, one group of chimps can have more genetic diversity than all of the six billion humans alive today."

When humans faced extinction
By Dr David Whitehouse 6/9/2003

What are they talking about when they reference chimps genetic diversity vs humans? Differences in the non protein coding portions of the chromosomes?

 

[UltrafastPED]

Would have to see the paper - does the author explain his calculations?

 

[jim mcnamara]

I think this is what the OP is actually taking about:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=early-human-population-size-genetic-diversity

The hypothesis is genus homo experienced a large die off, and the low genetic diversity of modern humans reflects the small size of the surviving founding population. Founder Effect.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Founder_effect

 

[SW VandeCarr]

The massive eruption of Mt. Toba on the island of Sumatra about 71,000 years ago is thought to be the cause of a genetic bottleneck resulting in a founder effect for a small group of surviving humans. However, I don't know how well accepted this hypothesis is. It seems to require that, to be "founders", the surviving humans were a geographically concentrated (and isolated) interbreeding population.

http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/stanley_ambrose.php

 

[LudusRex]

This statement is referring to the fact that humans have very little genetic diversity compared to our close genetic relatives, chimpanzees. This means that humans have a relatively small range of genetic variations compared to chimpanzees, who can have a much wider range of genetic variations within a single group.

This lack of genetic diversity in humans is due to our relatively recent evolution as a species, and our migration out of Africa. As we migrated and populated different regions of the world, our genetic diversity decreased as certain genetic variations became more prevalent in certain populations.

This lack of genetic diversity can have both positive and negative consequences. On one hand, it can make us more susceptible to certain genetic disorders and diseases. On the other hand, it also means that humans are more genetically similar to each other, which may contribute to our ability to cooperate and form complex societies.

Overall, this statement highlights the unique genetic makeup of humans and how it differs from our closest relatives, the chimpanzees. It also sheds light on the evolutionary history of our species and the impact of migration on genetic diversity.