Summary:
- Our DNA contains remnants of ancient viruses that infected our ancestors millions of years ago. These viral fragments, called endogenous retroviruses, make up about 8% of the human genome.
- Researchers have found that these ancient viral fragments may have played a role in shaping our immune system and even influencing our brain development and behavior. Some of these viral fragments may have provided beneficial genetic variations that helped our ancestors adapt to their environment.
- Understanding how these ancient viruses have influenced human evolution could provide insights into what makes us uniquely human and how our bodies and minds have developed over time.