We're lucky to have Neanderthal genes in us!

With the birth of our first granddaughter, my wife and I marvel at the power of the gene.  Particularly the Neanderthal gene.  The doctors noted little Charlotte’s extraordinarily long arms and legs, a trait that recently has been attributed to Neanderthal influence.  From what I’ve read most Europeans carry 3% to 4% Neanderthal genes, and from my recent DNA test 25% I’m proud to announce! 

Until recently the Neanderthals have been maligned as dumb oafish folk who didn’t deserve to live, and were pushed to extinction by smarter modern humans.  However, now the Neanderthals are being recognized as the purveyors of human artistic and intellectual flame that was snuffed out by our barbarian ancestors. 

The influence of Neanderthal gene can be seen in art, and now it is thought that the Paleolithic cave paintings, some from 20,000 years ago, are the work of Neanderthal artists who also had long arms and legs.  Maybe they needed the long reach to decorate those high cave walls, much like Michelangelo did in the Sistine chapel, only they didn’t have scaffolding yet.  Or maybe they had rudimentary pianos where it pays to have long fingers, or maybe they excelled in ballet?  We’ll never fully understand how much the Neanderthals knew, or how talented they were because the same barbarians that wiped them out also burned their great libraries. 

While the Greeks may dispute this I heard that even the genius Archimedes, 200bc, carried Neanderthal genes, that we can only surmise had something to do with his intellectual prowess. 

Luckily, the Homo Erectus were doing what they did best, so we carry some good Neanderthal genetic material that brings us art, music, and science. 

Today scientists are beginning to apply gene therapy, using Neanderthal genes, where the recipients are becoming more peaceful and intellectually inclined.  Recipients so far have given up war and accepted peace as the answer, and started to treat other humans as equals.  Neanderthal genes have unlimited application this way and our future looks brighter indeed. 

My recent DNA test results, besides showing ¼ Neanderthal genes, also indicate that I have a predisposition to writing stupid things!   Some things can’t be believed!