Humans nearly die out 70,000 years ago? For years geneticists have attempted to use the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of humans alive today as a time machine to study human origins. Studies of this DNA led to the African Eve theory, which posits that all people can trace their origins back to a single woman who lived in Africa 200,000 years ago.
Another study of mtDNA claimed to have pinpointed the moment when we dispersed from Africa, dating that event to 60,000 years ago. All the genetic studies look at the DNA of modern humans, with the assumption genetic mutations occur in a predictable fashion. This clockwork theory of mutations is known as the molecular clock.
Last year another study showed life nearly went extinct 70,000 years ago. The human population on the planet may have shrunk as low as 2,000 individuals. However, the study presumes that the only humans alive then all lived in Africa—therefore the study’s authors sampled DNA only from two tribes in South Africa.
This study illustrates one of the biggest flaws in evolution research, namely scientists cherry-picking their data. Limit a study, and the odds of finding what you want increase.
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