Genetics and Human Variation

Are human beings as unique as snowflakes? Not quite, but new research shows humans may have a lot more individuality than originally thought -- in fact, the genetic codes of people can vary by as much as 10 percent. This challenges conventional wisdom in genetics that any two humans are 99.9 percent similar in content and identity. The discovery of this genetic variation comes from Dr. Steve Scherer and colleagues at the Center for Applied Genomics at the Hospital for Sick Children at the University of Toronto. His work is expected to change the fundamental way geneticists approach disease and the study of evolution. Larry talks with Dr. Scherer, who joins us from studios at the University of Toronto, about his work and its implications.

Are human beings as unique as snowflakes? Not quite, but new research shows humans may have a lot more individuality than originally thought -- in fact, the genetic codes of people can vary by as much as 10 percent. This challenges conventional wisdom in genetics that any two humans are 99.9 percent similar in content and identity. The discovery of this genetic variation comes from Dr. Steve Scherer and colleagues at the Center for Applied Genomics at the Hospital for Sick Children at the University of Toronto. His work is expected to change the fundamental way geneticists approach disease and the study of evolution. Larry talks with Dr. Scherer, who joins us from studios at the University of Toronto, about his work and its implications.