Dead Genes
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Dead Genes
Hi, This is taken full "Things you ought to know, but wish you didn't." " Our DNA is full of evolutionary relics that have not yet been completely edited out. So called 'junk DNA", or "dead genes". There's is only one problem with that name, however the genes are not activity dead. A commom form of muscular dystrophy FSHD is caused by a "dead gene" present in all humans. But it's only "dead" because it is missing one-specfic sequence that allows it to be successfully transcribed, all it takes is one tiny mutation. If you thought that was a fluke, think again, A gene thought to put people at risk for Crohn's disease was resurrected after 25 million years, and by what? Another retrovirus". Interesting, that in basic biology class they teach us about the four items that cause DNA mutations. Jon