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Page2 of Part2: LookingMitochondrialEve

1.The beginning of the  "Mitochondrial Eve Theory"

In 1987, the molecular biology research teams of Professor Allan Wilson from the University of California at Berkeley and Professor Rebecca Cann from University of Hawaii published a seminal article in Nature. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA from the placenta of 147 women from different ethnic groups around the world, these researchers showed that the mitochondrial DNA from these ethnic groups shared a high degree of similarity in their DNA sequences. On average, the difference is only around 0.32% that equivalent of 50 nucleobase difference on the mitochondrial DNA.

This difference is even smaller than those found in different ethnic groups among African gorilla. This amazing discovery enabled Wilson and Cann to conclude that the mitochondrial DNA of modern women came from a female living in African approximately 200,000 years ago. She was the common grand mother of all ethnic groups around the world. Wilson and colleagues made the following statements:

1.”All these mitochondrial DNAs stem from one woman who is postulated to have lived about 200,000 years ago, probably in Africa."(Reference "Mitochondrial DNA and Human Evolution," Nature, 01 January 1987)

2."Genetic studies reveal that an African woman of 200,000 years ago was our common ancestor"(Reference:"The Recent African Genesis of Humans" SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN April 1992)
This is the beginning of the  "Mitochondrial Eve Theory".

To trace ones ancestors using the aforementioned DNA decoding method was truly an eye opener for many scientists. This approach laid the first cornerstone for molecular anthropology’s DNA genealogy testing.

And from 1987 onwards, with the burgeoning research evidence proving the authenticity of the Wilson-Cann discovery, the voice of opposition to this theory has become weaker and weaker.

II. Mitochondria: Structure and Function

Attachment: Map of the mtDNA Haplogroups’ Distribution Around the World

Reference:

1. van Oven M, Kayser M. ,PhyloTree.org - mtDNA tree Build 14 ,(5 Apr 2012)

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