How closely related are humans and rhesus monkeys?
Smith: Humans and monkeys are separated by over 5 million years of evolutionary history. Functional genomics will help us identify the genetic differences between humans and monkeys. If earthworms share 67 percent of the human genome, and rhesus monkeys 90 percent, it is clear that the majority of shared genes code for similar “housekeeping” functions (e.g., metabolizing sugar), but that some genes or gene complexes are crucial for the tremendous differences between various species. WW: Are rhesus monkeys intelligent? Smith: All living mammals are intelligent in that they are not extinct and relate successfully to their environment. WW: By what standard can we measure their intelligence? Smith: There are no set standards. Tests designed by humans tend to use humans as standards. How do you devise a test that measures cats by cat standards? WW: How do they perform against that standard? Smith: There is no set standard. WW: Do you think monkeys living in single-cages are lonely? Smith: M
