They may have arisen in Europe or the Middle East and spread more readily east and west due to human migrations, as opposed to south to Africa because of geographic barriers. Or, they could have arisen in Africa, and increased in frequency once early humans migrated out of Africa. -Bruce T. Lahn

 

They may have arisen in Europe or the Middle East and spread more readily east and west due to human migrations, as opposed to south to Africa because of geographic barriers. Or, they could have arisen in Africa, and increased in frequency once early humans migrated out of Africa.


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This quote is just one of 13 total Bruce T. Lahn quotes in our collection. Bruce T. Lahn is known for saying 'They may have arisen in Europe or the Middle East and spread more readily east and west due to human migrations, as opposed to south to Africa because of geographic barriers. Or, they could have arisen in Africa, and increased in frequency once early humans migrated out of Africa.' as well as some of the following quotes.

We want to know how broad a trend these two genes represent. Did we get really lucky and hit on two rare examples of such genes? Or, are they representative of many other such genes throughout the genome. I would bet, though, that we will find evidence of selection in a lot more genes.

Bruce T. Lahn
277

We don't know what these new variants do. But they might confer a selective advantage by improving cognitive abilities. This needs to be confirmed.

Bruce T. Lahn
272
Our studies indicate that the trend that is the defining characteristic of human evolution - the growth of brain size and complexity - is likely still going on. If our species survives for another million years or so, I would imagine that the brain by then would show significant structural differences from the human brain of today. -Bruce T. Lahn
271

The frequency of the gene increases because people who carry these genes are more fit and they have more kids. We think each gene conveys some sort of fitness advantage in brain biology. It could be an improved cognitive function or a personality trait. We're not sure. But we know whatever consequence they render is highly favored by selection.

Bruce T. Lahn
245

We're envisioning what societies will want.

Bruce T. Lahn
231
I think a lot of people might consider humans to be at the pinnacle of evolutionary lineage -- that we have achieved an advanced state as a species, and we have basically become the end-game. But what we found indicates that the species -- particularly when it comes to the brain, which is perhaps our most defining feature -- is still evolving. -Bruce T. Lahn
222

Our studies indicate that the trend that is the defining characteristic of human evolution--the growth of brain size and complexity--is likely still going on. Meanwhile, our environment and the skills we need to survive in it are changing faster then we ever imagined. I would expect the human brain, which has done well by us so far, will continue to adapt to those changes.

Bruce T. Lahn
182