Pig Genome Mapped

Thought this was cool.

An international team of scientists, including researchers at Durham University, have revealed the genetic code of pigs for the first time, providing new insights into their domestication and the movements of early humans.

Full story here.
www.heritagedaily.com...

You might want to say a bit more than just

"Thought this was cool."

Just saying.

Bacon lovers around the world rejoice, the pigs are safe.

Given the close relationship between pigs and humans in the development of agriculture, this could be very useful in highlighting paths of early diaspora.

Equally, if not perhaps more interesting...

These comparisons revealed that the immune response genes associated with fighting infection are evolving rapidly. Improved understanding of how these immune response genes have evolved could help combat disease and improve pig health, scientists say.

The comparison of the pig and human genes revealed several examples where the pig gene resembled the form of a human gene associated with disease, such as diabetes, obesity and Alzheimer’s. These discoveries extend the potential of pigs to shed light on human diseases.

That certain cultures consider pigs to be unclean has some rational basis in their carriage of disease and infection, that they have found that they have 'evolved rapidly' in combat of this facility is intriguing and raises certain possibilities in terms of 'adaptation'.

Thanks for posting.

reply to post by mcx1942


Great , wont be long before they start messing with the pigs DNA and we all start getting sick for their inevitable mistakes

Originally posted by balon0
You might want to say a bit more than just

"Thought this was cool."

Just saying.

Indeed, you are right. I was tired and figured the site could explain better than myself.

This is pretty big news in archaeology too, the new research will provide opportunities to further understand the process and pattern of pig domestication, which could ultimately shed new light on the movements of early humans.

p.s. I missed the 4 hour window to add this to the OP,