There are those members of our species for whom more-is-better. Donald Trump, Charlie Sheen and Barry Bonds rush to mind. Recently, however, the less-is-better crowd has found some strong support from an unlikely corner: Biologists. Picture Indiana Jones searching for DNA instead of the lost Ark.
Now here's the plot.
Most of us have conveniently presumed what puts us higher on the evolution tree is that we have more to our DNA than other any other species. Which is why Stanford University scientists were surprised when they compared us to our closest relative the chimpanzee with whom we share 96% of our DNA. But instead of finding extra genes that make us superior, they discovered about 500 DNA sequences which are missing in us.
Is it possible that less not more has made us more....?
Research director David Kingsley seems to think so. He reports on ScienceDaily.com: "One of these missing DNA sequences has likely allowed our brains to grow bigger by turning off a gene that keeps this organ's growth in check.The lack of another DNA sequence appears to prevent men from growing penile spines which in chimps are designed to speed delivery of sperm." Kingsley goes on to explain the obvious -- bigger brains, superior species. But then the less obvious -- losing the penile spine prolongs the sex act for humans, helping make intercourse more intimate and monogamy more likely.
And you always thought biology classes were boring...!
Sticking with this same less-is-more theme, Harvard anthropologist Richard Wrangham has raised serious questions about the conventional theory that European humanity was using fire as far back as 1 million years ago. Recent data has discovered that our European ancestors didn't know how to start and stoke a fire until 400,000 years ago. Which then poses the question: Can this missing fire help in some way explain our species advancement despite the brutal winters of northern Europe?
Bigger-is-always-better advocates aren't likely to be impressed. I mean, it's a forgone conclusion that bigger portfolios and penises represent bigger people and purposes. Just ask them! And yet, perhaps science is just now catching up with theology in reporting that sometimes being less can outclass always being more.
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If not science, some one has to do it. For the sake of the species....
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