How Much Caveman DNA Do You Have?

Company scours genome for Neanderthal heritage
By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 25, 2011 4:22 PM CST
Measure Your 'Caveman DNA' With 'Neanderthal Test'
View taken on July 8, 2010 of a mannequin of a Tautavel Man presented at the prehistoric museum in Tautavel.   (Getty Images)

If you've ever wondered whether your boorish ex or oafish boss may be closely related to our caveman ancestors, you can now officially prove it with a genetic test. Genome-mapping company 23andMe is offering "The Neanderthal Test" this holiday season. Simply submit your saliva and you can find out how much DNA you share with our loincloth-clad forbears, reports Discover Magazine.

Recent studies reveal that 30,000 years ago, Neanderthals mixed it up romantically with our Cro-Magnon ancestors. Now the genetic genome of the average human has 2.5% in common with Neanderthals, but some people have much more. Scientifically, the linked heritage means almost nothing, but it could still make for a fine icebreaker at a cocktail party. (More caveman stories.)

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