Most other animals have this functioning DNA but at some point in our history, a mutation disbled the gene - whilst leaving behind its remnants as junk DNA.

其他大多数动物都有这种有用的DNA，不过在我们的进化史中，有个改变让这种基因失效了——不过还是留下了一点残余，成了废料DNA。

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He cites a 1978 paper that showed a link between the gene behind sickle cell disease and a variation in a section of junk DNA. Jacobson dismisses as poppycock the notion that noncoding DNA was understood back then.

FORBES: Magazine Article