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The DNA double helix is a molecular acid that serves as the fundamental building block of all life. Though only partially understood for the past 50 years, the study of DNA is still in its early stages. Below are ten intriguing facts that reveal we share an interesting ancestry, some of us may even be our own twins, and we might soon discover the secret to immortality.
10. Influential Figures
Fact: A special 'immortality drive' is stored aboard the International Space Station, containing the DNA of significant individuals.
On October 12, 2008, a Russian Soyuz spacecraft embarked on a mission to the International Space Station, orbiting Earth. Aboard, it carried a small memory device containing the digitized DNA sequences of various (questionably) significant individuals, including comedian Stephen Colbert, physicist Stephen Hawking, 'Playboy' model Jo Garcia, and disgraced pro cyclist Lance Armstrong. The purpose of this device was to provide the essential building blocks to revive humanity in case of an apocalyptic catastrophe that could obliterate the planet.
9. Serial Killer
Fact: A DNA Error Led to the Creation of a Serial Killer
Female serial killers are incredibly rare, but in 2007, a woman known as 'The Phantom of Heilbronn' gained national attention in Germany after the murder of a policewoman. The Phantom's crimes spanned across numerous brutal murders, thefts, and violent acts, with a criminal trail dating back to 1993. The Phantom struck in France and Austria, enlisting accomplices from various nations. There was no discernible pattern, no surveillance footage; the Phantom seemed to defy explanation. It was only when police uncovered male fingerprints with DNA matches that they realized there was no 'Phantom of Heilbronn.' The cotton swabs used for DNA collection across Europe had been contaminated, likely during packing at the factory. The sterilization process killed bacteria, fungi, and viruses but failed to remove DNA. This oversight led to far-reaching consequences, wasting thousands of man-hours and diverting attention from real culprits, while investigators chased a fabricated ghost.
8. Immortality
Fact: Some Creatures Possess DNA That Makes Them Almost Immortal
The science of aging, or senescence, is incredibly complex, but simply put, our DNA is subject to entropy. This means that with each cellular division, it becomes a little weaker or less efficient. However, some species appear to be immune to this process, or at least exhibit a rate of degradation so slow that it is barely noticeable. Lobsters, certain fish, and many species of tortoises seem to not age, and under perfect conditions, could theoretically live forever. This phenomenon is known as negligible senescence. The oldest tortoise on record, Adwaita, an Aldabra Giant Tortoise, lived to be an astounding 255 years old. It’s worth mentioning, however, that these creatures, though they don't show signs of aging, are still vulnerable to diseases, injury, and other fatal conditions. The longer they live, the greater their chance of eventually succumbing to such issues. Adwaita passed away due to liver failure after his shell was cracked.
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7. Identical Cheetahs
Fact: Cheetahs Share Almost Identical Genetics
Laboratory mice and rats have been meticulously bred for generations to ensure uniform results in scientific studies. However, DNA analysis of cheetahs has revealed that they too are genetically almost identical. It is believed that around 10,000 years ago, during the Pleistocene epoch, a significant event led to a drastic reduction in the cheetah population to as few as just 7 individuals. This period coincides with the rise of modern humans and the extinction of other large mammals, such as the saber-toothed tiger. Thanks to a combination of luck and selective breeding, cheetahs managed to revive their species, but their genetic similarity makes them highly susceptible to diseases.
6. Vikings in America
Fact: DNA Evidence Suggests Vikings May Have Taken Native American Wives Long Before Columbus Arrived
Growing evidence reveals that the Vikings were far more advanced and traveled much farther than their 'barbaric' reputation would suggest. DNA testing has shown that four families in Iceland possess a genetic marker that is primarily found in Native American and East Asian populations. A study from the University of Iceland provides strong evidence that at least one Native woman was brought back to Iceland, with DNA traces dating as far back as 1700, and possibly even centuries earlier, according to certain genetic mutations. Though the Vikings reported encounters with natives (whom they referred to as 'Skraelings'), most of these interactions were reportedly hostile.
5. Humanzee
Fact: Creating a 'Humanzee' May Be Possible
While chimpanzees and humans evolved along separate paths (with chimps possessing 2 additional chromosomes compared to humans), their DNA remains remarkably similar. Although the exact figure is debated, it's believed that humans and chimps share as much as 99.4% of their DNA. Some scientists even suggest that, under certain conditions, interbreeding between the two species might be possible. Attempts to create a 'humanzee' have been made for over a century. Like mules, which are the offspring of donkeys and horses, it's believed that any resulting creature would likely be sterile. For years, there were rumors that a performing chimp named 'Oliver' was actually a humanzee, but despite his peculiar features, genetic testing confirmed he was just an ordinary chimp.
4. DNA Storage
Fact: DNA is the World’s Ultimate Digital Storage Medium
Though the concept of using DNA to store digital data has been around since the 1980s, it wasn't until last year that researchers from Harvard truly unlocked its potential. They managed to store a staggering 700 terabytes of data in just one gram of DNA. To put that into perspective, 700 terabytes would take up the space of about 330 pounds worth of hard drives, all condensed into a liquid form that could fit on the tip of your finger. While the current process of sequencing DNA to retrieve this information is time-consuming and costly, the sheer potential of storing the entirety of human knowledge and creation in a space no larger than your closet is nothing short of astonishing.
3. Human Neanderthal Breeding
Fact: Neanderthals and Humans Mated
It has long been believed that Homo sapiens interbred with Neanderthals tens of thousands of years ago, but it is only recently that DNA evidence has begun to shed light on the specifics of how this interaction took place. It's thought that early humans first encountered Neanderthals in the Middle East as they migrated out of Africa, offering a glimpse into the patterns of early human migration. Recently, a 30,000-40,000-year-old skeleton discovered in Italy showed signs of Neanderthal and Homo sapiens interbreeding, as the jaw structure indicated a Neanderthal mother (based on mitochondrial DNA) and a Homo sapiens father.
2. Radioactive DNA
Fact: People Born After 1955 Have Radioactive Carbon in Their DNA
In the 1950s, the Cold War was in full swing, with the United States and the USSR each showcasing their power by detonating nuclear warheads in their respective territories. The immense amount of radioactivity released into the atmosphere during this period led to all humans born after 1955 carrying trace amounts of carbon-14 in their DNA. Cells that did not divide before birth don't contain this carbon isotope. While the presence of carbon-14 doesn't appear to have any noticeable impact on the body, it has been useful in medical research, such as studying the rate at which cells replicate in the human heart.
1. Two Sets of DNA
Fact: It is Possible to Have Two Sets of DNA
Many pregnancies begin as twins, though often one embryo is absorbed by the other before it can be detected. In most cases, this is the end of the story. However, in some rare situations, if one twin is absorbed, the result is a person with two distinct sets of DNA. This phenomenon, known as 'Chimerism'—named after the mythological creature made up of parts from a lion, a serpent, and a goat—is not as uncommon as one might think, and many people live their entire lives unaware of it. The condition is often discovered when someone needs an organ transplant and tests reveal genetic inconsistencies. A particularly striking case is that of Lydia Fairchild. In 2002, when applying for welfare in Washington State, her family underwent a DNA test to confirm their relationship. Shockingly, the results indicated she was not the mother of her own children, leading to allegations of fraud and the threat of losing her kids. Fairchild fought the charges, and only further testing revealed the incredible truth: she was, in fact, her own twin.
