On Wed, 5 Apr 2000, alexs wrote:

> This is probably an erroneous concept. The mutation in primates
> disabling the GLO gene for endogenous ascorbate probably occurred
> one fine day many millions of years ago, and quite rapidly spread
> after all that extra energy was freed up, giving an advantage to
> the new dietary ascorbate-dependent primates. It would probably
> take only a dozen generations to displace the older nonmutants.

Could you explain what you mean about the extra energy being
freed up?

Also, do you know of any empirical studies that confirm that it
is the *same mutation* in all primates?  I have looked for this
but so far been unable to find anything beyond the assumption
that it is the same, but you have a lot more information about
this than I do.

Todd Moody
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