Book answers age-old questions on what our genetic structure tells us about our bodies
Do you have skeletons in your closet? Maybe not, but you definitely have cavemen (or cavewomen) in your genes, say evolutionary researchers.
In fact, though less hairy and more vocal, modern people aren’t much different than our prehistoric predecessors, said Dr. William Meller, a Santa Barbara, Calif., internist who researches and teaches evolutionary medicine. In his book, "Evolution Rx: A Practical Guide to Harnessing Our Innate Capacity for Health and Healing,” Meller addresses in layman’s terms the latest research in genetics, biology and early human history and what it reveals about preventing modern disease, fighting infections and how people evolved from who we were 1 million years ago to who we are today.Multimedia
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Dirt and DNA among keys to history
You may be wondering how scientists can know so much about people who lived thousands, even millions, of years ago.
Dr. William Meller, author of "Evolution Rx: A Practical Guide to Harnessing Our Innate Capacity for Health and Healing,” said the evidence comes from various sources: paleontology, archaeology, anthropology and molecular genetics. Sites of caves where people lived for tens of thousands of years are treasure troves for scientists. By dissecting the dirt on cave floors molecule by molecule, they can learn much about the former inhabitants. By studying modern people living in societies that have changed little over thousands of years, scientists get a glimpse into how primitive societies lived. "Other missing links lie hidden within us, tightly wound in our DNA,” Meller writes. "These coils hold the genetic code — a detailed record of our evolutionary history, a living testament that binds us to our most primitive ancestors.” — Heather Warlick-Moore
You may be wondering how scientists can know so much about people who lived thousands, even millions, of years ago.
Dr. William Meller, author of "Evolution Rx: A Practical Guide to Harnessing Our Innate Capacity for Health and Healing,” said the evidence comes from various sources: paleontology, archaeology, anthropology and molecular genetics. Sites of caves where people lived for tens of thousands of years are treasure troves for scientists. By dissecting the dirt on cave floors molecule by molecule, they can learn much about the former inhabitants. By studying modern people living in societies that have changed little over thousands of years, scientists get a glimpse into how primitive societies lived. "Other missing links lie hidden within us, tightly wound in our DNA,” Meller writes. "These coils hold the genetic code — a detailed record of our evolutionary history, a living testament that binds us to our most primitive ancestors.” — Heather Warlick-Moore
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