Friday, 24 July 2009 01:05 ALEXANDER CHIEJINA With Agency Report
Scientists have long suspected that the sex chromosome that only males carry is deteriorating and could disappear entirely within a few million years. However, until now, no one has understood the evolutionary processes that control this chromosome’s demise. Now, a pair of Penn State scientists has discovered that this sex chromosome, the Y chromosome, has evolved at a much more rapid pace than its partner chromosome, the X chromosome, which both males and females carry.
Here is some relief:
“Even though some of the genes appear to be important, the team thinks there is a chance that the Y chromosome eventually could disappear.
If this happens, it won’t be the end of males. Instead, a new pair of non-sex chromosomes likely will start on the path to becoming sex chromosomes.”
But what if the female species takes another evolutionary direction and becomes asexual, like the Mycocepurus smithii ant (otherwise known as “Queen B”)? Will this be the end of evolution for humans?
No variation, no diversification, no evolution! Oh darn, all women will look the same. 🙁