From a genomic perspective, we are all Africans.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the shared genetic heritage of all humans originating from Africa.
Svante Paabo's quote highlights the scientific understanding that all modern humans can trace their ancestry back to Africa. This perspective underscores the notion of a common lineage and humanity's interconnectedness, suggesting that regardless of our current geographical or cultural differences, we are fundamentally united through our ancestry.
In practice
In a lecture on human evolution, this quote could illustrate our common ancestry.
I want to know what changed in fully modern humans, compared with Neanderthals, that made a difference. What made it possible for us to build up these enormous societies, and spread around the globe, and develop the technology that I think no one can doubt is unique to humans.
Just one living cell in the human body is, more complex than New York City.
Science is rooted in the will to truth. With the will to truth it stands or falls. Lower the standard even slightly and science becomes diseased at the core. Not only science, but man. The will to truth, pure and unadulterated, is among the essential conditions of his existence; if the standard is compromised he easily becomes a kind of tragic caricature of himself.
When I write a scientific treatise, I might reach 100 people. When the 'National Geographic' covers a project, it communicates about plants and fish and underwater technology to more than 10 million people.
Data is like garbage. You'd better know what you are going to do with it before you collect it.
It's inevitable that we'll have some form of designer children, fueled not just by the science but by parents' hard-wired desire to give their children every advantage.
If you go into science, I think you better go in with a dream that maybe you, too, will get a Nobel Prize. It's not that I went in and I thought I was very bright and I was going to get one, but I'll confess, you know, I knew what it was.
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