In spite of all our differences, the one thing that binds all living creatures is that we each have an expiration date. This finality to our existence is what makes life special, something to be cherished and protected. But occasionally things can go terribly wrong…
Human beings had a brush with extinction 70,000 years ago, suggests an extensive genetic study by Stanford University. Because of a massive drought, the number of humans shrank to only 2,000 people in small isolated groups in Africa. Eventually the population began to climb, and humans started migrating out of Africa about 60,000 years ago.
"This study illustrates the extraordinary power of genetics to reveal insights into some of the key events in our species’ history," said Spencer Wells, National Geographic Society explorer in residence. "Tiny bands of early humans, forced apart by harsh environmental conditions, coming back from the brink to reunite and populate the world. Truly an epic drama, written in our DNA."
Today, more than 6.6 billion people inhabit the globe.
