Hi Ray,
I thought that the range was estimated between 83,000 years ago and 70,000
years ago. Nonetheless, during that time we have developed people with wide
ranges of skin color, several different eye colors and hair colors, large
variations in nose sizes, lactase retention, altered skull conformation
implying altered brain morphology, variations in number of common bile
ducts, three genetically distinct forms of lactase retention, variations in
ankle structure, at least 2 types of tooth formation, and a host of other
genetic changes that equip us differently for different environments. I
don't deny that we are all very similar but authors such as Cochran and
Harpending argue, quite compellingly, that we have evolved considerably over
the last 10,000 years. My position is simply that many of our changes in
appearance and digestive features reflect regional adaptations that have
since been mixed into the larger race due to sexual interaction. So, like
you, I think that we are very similar. However, I was asserting that our
many differences in dietary adaptation are reflected in many of the genes
that drive susceptibility to, and manifestation of, diseases such as type 1
diabetes. If, for instance, we could predict which infants would develop
type 1 diabetes, we could remove gluten, dairy, and soy from their diets and
reduce that risk. Infants at risk of developing celiac disease could have
gluten excluded from their diet.
Those very small distinctions and adjustments to diet could lead to huge
changes in life expectancy and improved quality of life for these
individuals. So my position is that if we can determine our inclinations,
and eat accordingly, then we can have better lives.
I don't support Peter D'Adamo's paradigm or his obeisance to blood types as
"the" defining difference.
Best Wishes,
Ron
Ray Audette said on Sunday, March 11, 2012 10:17 PM
Humans are the second least genetically diverse mammal species because ,
according to our DNA, we are all related to the less than 1,000 humans who
survived the Pleistocene Extinctions about 70.000 years ago. Only Cheetahs
( one pregnant female 7,000 years ago) are less genetically diverse.
This makes all of us at most 11th cousins! Chimps ( total population less
than 100,000) are far more genetically diverse ( take that D'Adamo).
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