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y chromosome |
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On Topic: Y Chromosome
Long thought to be the black sheep of the DNA world,
the Y chromosome has made a comeback. For decades scientists
have believed that the Y is headed for extinction, and
that in another few million years this chromosome, which
confers maleness, will no longer exist. This demise
of manhood was based on the assumption that because
the Y does not have a mate (all other chromosomes come
in pairs), it can't fix its own genetic damage by swapping
genes with a counterpart. Whitehead Director David
Page has now turned that theory on its head. By
sequencing the Y chromosome, Page has demonstrated that
it possesses a system of self-repair unique to the genome,
and that rumors of its demise have been greatly exaggerated-something
that men of all species can take comfort in.
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The Evolution of Sex:
Rethinking the Rotting Y Chromosome
David Page, Director
Whitehead Institute
From the Director's Lecture Series for Non-Scientists
December 8, 2003
[view QuickTime
video 220k 56k]
Video length: 1:20:28
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Last updated October 20, 2005. |
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