A recent study links a specific gene variant to the origins of spoken language, suggesting it played a crucial role in human communication development.
A new study has established a connection between a particular gene and the emergence of spoken language, proposing that a unique protein variant found only in humans may have facilitated our ability to communicate verbally.
The question of why humans began to speak has intrigued scientists for years. Recent research suggests that genetics played a significant role in this evolution, which was essential for our survival. The development of speech enabled early humans to share information, coordinate activities, and pass down knowledge, providing a competitive advantage over extinct relatives such as Neanderthals and Denisovans.
Liza Finestack, a researcher at the University of Minnesota who was not involved in the study, described the research as “a good first step to start looking at the specific genes” that may influence speech and language development. The findings could potentially benefit individuals with speech disorders in the future.
The study focused on a genetic variant that researchers believe contributed to the rise of Homo sapiens as the dominant species. Dr. Robert Darnell, one of the study’s authors and a long-time researcher of the NOVA1 protein, emphasized its importance in brain development. The study was published on Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications.
To investigate the effects of the NOVA1 variant, scientists at Rockefeller University in New York employed CRISPR gene editing to replace the NOVA1 protein in mice with the human-specific variant. The results were surprising: the vocalizations of the mice changed when they called out to each other.
Baby mice carrying the human variant emitted different squeaks compared to their normal littermates when their mother approached. Similarly, adult male mice with the variant chirped differently than their typical counterparts when they encountered a female in heat. According to Darnell, these scenarios motivated the mice to vocalize, demonstrating the variant’s role in communication.
This research is not the first to link genetics with speech. In 2001, British scientists identified the FOXP2 gene, which was associated with language and speech disorders and dubbed the “human language gene.” However, while FOXP2 is involved in language, it is not unique to humans; later studies revealed that Neanderthals also shared this gene variant. In contrast, the NOVA1 variant identified in modern humans is exclusive to our species, according to Darnell.
While the presence of a specific gene variant is a factor in speech capability, it is not the sole reason humans can communicate. Other elements, such as anatomical features of the throat and the collaborative functions of various brain regions, are also crucial for speech and language comprehension.
Darnell expressed hope that this research will not only enhance our understanding of human origins but also pave the way for innovative treatments for speech-related issues. Finestack added that the genetic findings could eventually enable scientists to identify individuals who may require early speech and language interventions.
As research in this area continues to evolve, the implications for understanding human communication and addressing speech disorders could be profound, according to Fox News.