In a recent study 19 ancient viral DNA fragments were found, adding 2 to the previously known 17, deep embedded in human genome.(Research article published online on March 21, 2016 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.)
In a way 8 percent of human DNA is alien, scientifically named as Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs).
More studies are in offing as to prove that how useful or infectious they are to the human beings.
May be the viral outbreak in the human history have some link to HERVs as if these are capable of causing an epidemic.
These viruses incorporated in our DNAs ever since hundreds of millions of years must have shaped the course of human evolution history, God knows if benefiting to their own ends, is unknown as more studies and speculations are yet to be made.
We all know that evolution is an endless creative process as what we find useless today, tomorrow it may play a vital role in adaptation course of genetic material. (http://www.nature.com/articles/nature11244.epdf?)
Ancient viruses hibernating in the human genome is a frightening call.
We are viral from the beginning....
Now the question is how alien we are ?
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Some related article reference links:
Viruses are cellular organisms
Mitochondria is a symbiotic bacteria
Chloroplast is a symbiotic bacteria
Viruses hidden in human genes
Human a curious case of symbiont body
Human body and theseus paradox
In a way 8 percent of human DNA is alien, scientifically named as Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs).
More studies are in offing as to prove that how useful or infectious they are to the human beings.
May be the viral outbreak in the human history have some link to HERVs as if these are capable of causing an epidemic.
We all know that evolution is an endless creative process as what we find useless today, tomorrow it may play a vital role in adaptation course of genetic material. (http://www.nature.com/articles/nature11244.epdf?)
Ancient viruses hibernating in the human genome is a frightening call.
We are viral from the beginning....
Now the question is how alien we are ?
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courtesy shared screenshot:
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_________________________________
Some related article reference links:
Viruses are cellular organisms
Mitochondria is a symbiotic bacteria
Chloroplast is a symbiotic bacteria
Viruses hidden in human genes
Human a curious case of symbiont body
Human body and theseus paradox
