Study challenges evolution of FOXP2 as human-specific language gene

(Cell Press) FOXP2, a gene implicated in affecting speech and language, is held up as a textbook example of positive selection on a human-specific trait. But in a paper published Aug. 2 in the journal Cell, researchers challenge this finding. Their analysis of genetic data from a diverse sample of modern people and Neanderthals saw no evidence for recent, human-specific selection of FOXP2 and revises the history of how we think humans acquired language.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2vb2cv7