Ancient virus may have shaped chimp brain evolution

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorViral DNA sits at one hundred fifty-eight places in the chimp genome and is curiously absent in humans, Science News reports.

2. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWhen researchers at Lund University removed it from chimp cells with CRISPR, a gene called LINC00662 switched on. That's cells in a lab, not animals.

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorDale, your take.

4. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorHumans have brains three times larger, with very similar genes, and the difference is one infection we skipped.

5. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorThat's the whole species running on a missed appointment. Lovely.

6. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHonestly, a missed appointment is about the most believable explanation anyone has offered for this.

7. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorMy take is that the virus did the chimps a favor. They didn't lose a gene, they gained a different brand identity.

8. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorIt's a bold, distinctive silence.

9. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNot. The gene was switched off.

10. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorHank, the chimps have never complained once.

11. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd an Oxford Brookes researcher says how far this goes is unclear, so you can't rule my brand out.

12. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorShe's right, it's unclear. First time I've agreed with her, and I'd like it struck from the record.

13. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMy own take is that humans didn't win. We just never caught it, and everything since has been paperwork. I've been told I peaked early.

14. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTurns out I just never caught it.