Surprisingly we share 98.4% of our DNA with our closest cousins, the common and pygmy chimpanzees. But what is the significance of that 1.6% difference? The author takes us through millions of years of human evolution with two traits that are our constant companions - xenophobia and the assault upon the environment. Maps of genocide through the ages and evidence of our effects on mass animal extinction from all continents make sober, if thoughtful reading.
(Clive Yelf - bwl 18 April 2003 ) |
