Genome sequencing – Gorillas

Genome sequencing

The gorilla became the next-to-last great ape genus to have its genome sequenced. The first gorilla genome was generated with short read

and Sanger sequencing using DNA from a female western lowland gorilla named Kamilah. This gave scientists further insight into the evolution and origin of humans. Despite the chimpanzees being the closest extant relatives of humans, 15% of the human genome was

found to be more like that of the gorilla.[76] In addition, 30% of the gorilla genome “is closer to human or chimpanzee

than the latter are to each other; this is rarer around coding genes, indicating pervasive selection throughout great ape evolution,

and has functional consequences in gene expression.”[77] Analysis of the gorilla genome has cast doubt on the idea that the rapid evolution of hearing genes gave rise to language in humans, as it also occurred in gorillas.[78]