Ancient DNA shared with Neanderthals may explain human language
Researchers have identified specific genetic regulatory elements called HAQERs that significantly influence human language ability and predate the split between modern humans and Neanderthals. This study suggests that a tiny portion of the genome acts as the 'hardware' for language development.
Why it matters
It provides new insights into the evolutionary biology of human communication and the genetic foundations of cognitive traits.
A newly published study from University of Iowa Health Care suggests that a surprisingly small portion of human DNA plays a major role in language ability. Researchers also found that these influential genetic sequences emerged before modern humans and Neanderthals split from a common ancestor, pushing the origins of language-related biology further back in time than previously recognized.
The article reports on scientific findings from a peer-reviewed study without political or social bias.
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