Before We Vanish…

For those inclined to believe in the infallibility of modern science here’s a cautionary tale.
 
A few years ago our scientists announced the Y chromosome – “the thing that makes a man male” – was a pretty poor creature; the Y chromosome, they said with conviction, was shrinking and in exactly 50,000 years would vanish and cease to exist and so would men.
 
Well, the good news for my great, great, great, great…grandchildren is the scientists have changed their story.
 
It turns out – according to last week’s newspaper – the diminutive Y chromosome is actually a tiger that’s evolving “far faster” than just about anything in sight – it’s the primary reason we’re no longer apes while the rest of our chimpanzee cousins are still monkeys.
 
The best news of all:  Scientists now say we men are evolving faster than women. The worst news of all:  It sounds like they haven’t entirely ruled out the possibility the chromosome is shrinking – so it’s possible we may make a lot of progress then vanish.
 
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Carter Wrenn

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Before We Vanish…

For those inclined to believe in the infallibility of modern science here’s a cautionary tale.
 
A few years ago our scientists announced the Y chromosome – “the thing that makes a man male” – was a pretty poor creature; the Y chromosome, they said with conviction, was shrinking and in exactly 50,000 years would vanish and cease to exist and so would men.
 
Well, the good news for my great, great, great, great…grandchildren is the scientists have changed their story.
 
It turns out – according to last week’s newspaper – the diminutive Y chromosome is actually a tiger that’s evolving “far faster” than just about anything in sight – it’s the primary reason we’re no longer apes while the rest of our chimpanzee cousins are still monkeys.
 
The best news of all:  Scientists now say we men are evolving faster than women. The worst news of all:  It sounds like they haven’t entirely ruled out the possibility the chromosome is shrinking – so it’s possible we may make a lot of progress then vanish.
 
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Carter Wrenn

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