Scientists in the U.S. have discovered that human speech may have emerged thanks to a unique gene, NOVA1, which is found only in modern humans but is absent in Neanderthals and Denisovans. Researchers from Rockefeller University determined that this gene appeared early in human evolution and played a key role in the development of speech.
Previously, genes influencing speech had been identified, but they were also present in other ancient human species. NOVA1, however, is exclusive to Homo sapiens, making it the first fully functional “speech genome.” To study its function, scientists introduced this gene into mouse DNA.
While the mice’s physical appearance and brain development remained unchanged, their vocalization patterns underwent significant modifications. Pups began calling their mothers differently, and adult mice altered how they attracted mates.
Professor Robert Darnell believes such changes could have had a decisive impact on the evolution of human speech, providing early humans with new ways to communicate.
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