A new study has found that people are genetically more like our fathers than our mothers, so it is safe to say that like father, like son and also, like father, like daughter.
The study was performed by researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and was made public on Monday, February 2.
The study has concluded that all mammals are genetically more like our fathers than our mothers. The statement released by the University of North Carolina School of Medicine says that the research shows that even though mammals inherit equal amounts of genetic mutations from our mothers and fathers, we actually utilize more of the DNA that our fathers give us. These genetic mutations male all mammals unique and they are the reason for individuality in the world.
UNC scientists tracked genetic mutations in nine types of mice that were bred from three diverse inbred strains. After careful examination of the data, they found that the gene expressions of the offspring were more heavily influenced by the male parent, rather than the female one.
According to the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, if we inherited from the mother more, then the bad mutation would not be expressed as much as it would be if it were inherited from the male parent.
Nicholas Katsanis, lead author of the study and director of the Center for Human Disease Modeling at Duke University, stated that this study is very interesting and it has given scientists new insights and perspectives on the regulation of gene expression.
Katsanis continued:
But it leaves many open questions and that’s a good thing, not a bad thing. When researchers study the genome mutations they don’t typically take into consideration a parent of origin.
Katsanis said that following this study, researchers who study the genome mutations should start taking into consideration the parent of origin.
He continued to say that the results of this study are a good reminder that the genome wasn’t so well understood by scientists after all.
The results of the study could help genetic researchers better understand inherited diseases and maybe even find a way to manipulate them into not being transmitted any further to offspring.
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