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Published online 2 June 2008 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2008.868
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Mutations may make humans walk on all fours
Genetic analysis revives dispute about why some humans are quadrupeds.
A mutated gene may have a role in a rare condition in which humans walk on all fours, researchers say. But precisely how mutations in this gene might stop people from walking upright remains a matter of debate.
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I would like to see a study of the Quadrupedals to that of an infant. I realize that an infant crawls on hands and knees, but it may be an underdeveloped gene from infancy. Just a question I would like answered. As far as the Qaudrupedals throwing the walkers to the side, I would only think that if they have been walking in the way they do, for so many years, it would would be more normal for them to walk on their hands and feet. Also, I see the stance of their walk as the human body has a long spinal cord and longer legs, therefor making them more comfortable with their rear in the air. I would only think that this was a family that learned to walk as they saw the elders walking the same way, thinking that was the way to was, as animals do.
Quadruped walking is probably a genetic defect or sign of devolution, since upright bipedal man is able to think and act in a superior way ,though it is causing its negative impacts on nature through such acts. May be this is a natural response to curtail man`s uninhibited acts that disrupt natural processes ,slowly but steadily. SURESHKUMAR,SCIENTIST AND HEAD,PLANNING,NIIST,TRIVANDRUM
Natural selection suggests that morphological changes coupled with abnormal behavior occur for a reason; albeit “for the betterâ€. But can anyone speak out with full commitment that these people have any good reason, need, to stand erect? Science precludes that standing erect was a step forward. Many specie can do such, but still prefer to travel on all four. It is faster for them, and cuts the trauma by 50% compared with total body weight on just two extremities. Ray Tostado Los Angeles
Curious... If it is indeed genetic, then how did the gene pass down and not be noticed earlier? Surely people with such affliction would find it more difficult to find a suitable mate for reproduction. As for learned behaviour, I'm guessing that the children of Quadrupeds are not raised in a complete social vacuum - especially where the family had sought help from (presumably Biped) physicians. So if not passed down through a dominant gene, and not learned, then what remains... recessive gene, a combination of genes, or a genetic mutation. hmmm. consider me simplistic, but 2 out of 4 families showing a mutation of VLDLR is a 50% hit... not exactly definitive, is it? My guess is it's a combination, that has recently become possible through the increase in transcontinental travel of people, animals and foodstuffs. sorry for the long winded comment.