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How human disease changed history, with Dr Jonathan Kennedy

Instant Genius

00:00

The Impact of Retroviruses on Human Evolution

8% of all our DNA comes from retrovirus infections, says author. The ability to give birth is only because we have inherited genes from a viral infection that allow the placenta to bind to the mother. Scientists have bred mice where they've removed this gene and the mice don't seem to be able to form memories.

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