Scientists indicate protein mutation may have given rise to human thought
A mutant bit of protein called type II neuropsin has been identified as unique to humans, and therefore a likely culprit as the mutation that preceded thought.
A study shows that a certain form of neuropsin, a protein that plays a role in learning and memory, is expressed only in the central nervous systems of humans. The scientists conclude that this critical difference originated less than 5 million years ago.
This protein’s no-show in the prefontal cortex of old world monkeys and lesser apes had already been established, but chimps and orangs are now also confirmed neuropsinless. These species are recently diverged from humans (5 & 14 million years ago, respectively, which is what we mean when we say they’re “more closely related”), placing a potential genesis of ‘thought’ at 5 million years ago.
What is the agnostic view of consciousness—what does this mean for those who don’t believe in God? It’s a strong piece of evidence for evolution, but it could certainly bring recently-defected theists up short. It suggests that thought, consciousness, and the complex brain that makes us feel like we have a soul began because of a rather unromantic protein mutation. That certainly doesn’t seem very special. But in fact, it is incredibly special.
If you are used to thinking that God made our species in His image, it can be tough to accept that we’re the product of mutation and selection. But what a fantastic product we turned out to be!
What could evoke more wonder and reverence than the accident that gave us consciousness? Survival saw that thinking, learning and adapting was advantageous, and the thinkers bred. Don’t you feel lucky to be here?
What is a former theist to do with the lump of ‘gratefulness’ that brings to the throat? Let your heart swell with gratitude towards nature and the amazing world we come from. Treat it as the creator that it is.
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