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Originally Posted by KevanGuy
I cant imagine they were interbred out of existence. If that were true I dont think they would be saying there was only a chance if that happening, I think it would be pretty obvious with DNA records. Actually, it would probably be pretty obvious physicologically.
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As mentioned in the article, with DNA comparative analysis, they've only just now figured out that it was unlikely they interbred - though its still difficult to say for sure. Comparing DNA is still a very inconsistent procedure.
As stated in this article:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/238852_chimp01.html
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Humans and chimps each have some 3 billion base units of DNA in their genomes, differing by only 1.2 percent when compared in this way. Other methods of comparison estimate a genetic difference of at most 4 percent
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And thats when dealing with two fresh samples. When using DNA that is over 30,000 years old, fragmentations are used, so it's even tricker.
Luckily, there are advancements all the time in the field of DNA analysis, so it appears as if we're getting a clearer and clearer view of our past with every advancement.