Abstract
The sequencing of the human genome revealed that 5–8%of our DNA is not inherently human, but instead is viral DNA, primarily retroviral DNA. These incursions of viral sequences reflect millennia of infections where viral nucleic acid fragments accumulated in our genome and become part of our genetic heritage. This chapter details the significance and consequences of this viral invasion of our genomes.
If Charles Darwin reappeared today, he might be surprised to learn that humans are descended from viruses as well as from apes.
Robin Weiss
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Wilson, V.G. (2022). The Viruses Within – How Human Are We?. In: Viruses: Intimate Invaders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85487-4_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85487-4_9
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Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
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