Study: at least 75% of our DNA is useless
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At least three quarters of the human genome consists of non-functional "junk DNA", say the results of recent research scientists. With the discovery by Watson and Crick of the DNA double helix in 1953 among the scientific community there is debate on what part of the genome is what makes you you. And according to evolutionary biologist Dan Graur of University of Houston, the answer to this puzzle is hidden in simple mathematical calculations.
Graur has estimated that the functional part of the human genome is only 10 to 15 percent of our total DNA with an upper limit of about 25 percent. The rest of the genome, which is about 75-90 percent is so-called junk DNA, is not necessarily harmful, but totally useless distorted genetic code of nucleotide sequences, does not have any useful function, for example, by encoding proteins, stimulating important chemical reactions inside of our organisms.
The Justification of the model of Gaur based on how many mutations fall into the DNA chain and how we, as a species, were able to take advantage of the benefits resulting from these mutations. These genetic variations from time to time manifest themselves in our genome and change slightly or rearrange the four chemical components that form our DNA – adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine – in its various parts.
When mutations occur in junk DNA, they are considered neutral, as this genetic code does not perform any function. However, when the mutation occurs in a functional sequence of DNA, it also happens that this mutation is harmful and in some cases can even be deadly for the body, so how to rewrite the code of healthy tissue and biological processes.
Based on this, it turns out that for our evolutionary prospects is much better when smaller parts of the DNA are functional, as in this case, it reduces the risk of harmful mutations and reduces the probability of early death, and that these mutations can bring.
In the calculations Graur, where, on the one hand, takes into account the risk of harmful mutations for survival of the species, and on the other hand, a well-known indicator of stability of the population and reproductive rate throughout the history of mankind, the limit functional DNA always had to stay low. Otherwise dangerous mutations would continue to accumulate and would have to play incredibly large number of new individuals to receive only a small percentage of healthy calves to survive.
"assuming 100% functionality of the genome and the rate at which a harmful mutation spread, it turns out that to maintain a constant population size every couple must produce at least 24 children and a maximum of 5 × 10^53", — according to the author of the work.
Of Course hardly anyone other than creationists, believes that the human genome does not have junk DNA, however in a large study 2012 for the project "encyclopedia of DNA elements" (ENCODE) the researchers said that about 80 percent of DNA is functional. Insights seemed very controversial. Partly because many scientists have stated that the ENCODE definition for the term "functional" was too broad.
In the understanding of the term by Graur where functional DNA is regarded as a code, which is useful from the point of view of evolutionary effects, the figure of 80% does not correspond to the result.
"In the case of functioning of 80 percent of the genome of each pair on the planet would have to give birth to an average of 15 children. However, only two of them could continue the race. The rest either died or did not possess reproductive functions" — the author writes.
According to Graur, it is likely that only about 10-25 percent are useful. At the same time, despite the fact that in this area of research can hardly be put an end, new results to some extent coincide with the results of an independent study conducted in 2014. It was then discussed that the functional is only 8.2 percent of our DNA. Quite possibly, such statements will encourage other scholars to dig more deeply into this question.
"We need to know the volume of the functional part of the human genome in order to focus on what's really important in research. And on this basis to create medicines that can cure and prevent disease" — says Graur.
"No need to learn anything and everything. We need to know only those parts of DNA that are functional."
The results of the study of Graur was published the scientific edition of Genome Biology and Evolution.
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