Genetics provides evidence for common ancestry from "summary" of The Language of God by Francis Collins
The study of genetics has brought a wealth of evidence supporting the idea of common ancestry among living organisms. By examining the DNA sequences of different species, scientists have been able to uncover remarkable similarities that point to a shared evolutionary history. These similarities can be seen not only in the genes themselves, but also in the way they are organized and regulated within the genome. One of the most compelling pieces of evidence for common ancestry comes from the presence of pseudogenes – genes that have lost their function due to mutations but are still present in the genome. These pseudogenes can be found in the same location in the genomes of different species, indicating that they arose from a common ancestral gene that was functional. This shared inheritance of non-functional genes is a clear sign of a shared evolutionary past. Another powerful piece of evidence comes from the study of endogenous retroviruses – viral DNA that has become integrated into the host genome. These retroviral sequences can be found in the same location in the genomes of different species, suggesting that they were inserted into the genome of a common ancestor and passed down through subsequent generations. The presence of these shared viral sequences provides strong support for the idea of common ancestry. Furthermore, the study of genetic mutations and chromosomal rearrangements has revealed a pattern of similarities and differences among different species that can be best explained by a shared evolutionary history. By comparing the genomes of closely related species, scientists can trace the genetic changes that have occurred over time and reconstruct the evolutionary relationships among them.- Genetics has provided a wealth of evidence supporting the concept of common ancestry among living organisms. By studying the similarities and differences in DNA sequences, scientists have been able to uncover a shared evolutionary history that connects all living things on Earth. This evidence not only sheds light on the origins of life, but also highlights the unity and interconnectedness of all living beings.
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