Apr 5

Apr 5 I’m only 92% human. But that’s OK

How human are you? At least 92%. Researchers studying DNA from 2,500 people in 2016 discovered that over 8% of our genetic code belongs to fragments of ancient viruses our ancestors battled over the last 670,000 years.

During the study researchers also found a segment of viral code that appears to be completely intact. In theory, it could be possible to resurrect an ancient virus.

According to virologist John Coffin of the Tufts University School of Medicine, "This one looks like it is capable of making infectious virus, which would be very exciting if true, as it would allow us to study a viral epidemic that took place long ago".

Ancient virus found hibernating in the human genome—and it might wake up from Ars Technica

Image credits: Public domain. CDC/ Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library (PHIL)