• Question: What makes us “human”, and will we ever find out?

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      Asked by x.isma.xx to Anais, katy, Lauren, Richard, Stuart on 8 Mar 2016. This question was also asked by Adam Stand-on Joe.
      • Photo: Stuart Atkinson

        Stuart Atkinson answered on 8 Mar 2016:

        We’re great at asking questions and trying to understand how the world works. We can think about the past and plan for the future. We’re good at inventing things. We’re great communicators and we’re good at changing our environment to make life easier (although not always to the benefit of the planet).

      • Photo: Lauren Laing

        Lauren Laing answered on 8 Mar 2016:

        Great answer Stuart! I think there are many ways to tackle this question! As a geneticist, I would say we are human because our genes say so. If I were to sequence your genome, when I analyse the data this would match with our genetic records for the Homo sapiens (this is the species name for humans). Our genetic records for humans are pretty good, and lots of research has been carried out to understand our genes, and how they work!

      • Photo: Anais Kahve

        Anais Kahve answered on 8 Mar 2016:

        This is debatable, but in a more social context, it is thought that what makes humans different to other animals is our ability to be artistic and to communicate our thoughts through art. For example, cave drawings have been discovered which are thought to have been drawn by our ancestors thousands of years ago. No other animal or species has been found to be able to draw and communicate events such as battles and between tribes and where to find food. Other animals communicate via sound or vibrations but humans are particularly unique with our ability to draw and record events.

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