FOXP2

Language is one of of the major factors that make us distinctively different from animals. There is not much evidence on the evolution of our complex language, however in relatively recent scientific history strides have been made. In 2001 the gene FOXP2 was identified by geneticist Anthony Monaco’s group at Oxford University, in collaboration with cognitive neuroscientist Faraneh Vargha-Khadem and colleagues at the Institute of Child Health in London (Balter). This is the first of many genes that gave humans the ability of speech. The FOXP2 gene appears 200,000 years ago, at the same time that modern humans emerged. Further solidifing that this gene and changes to this gene have had direct influence on the development of language for humans. This implies that the FOXP2 helped to make human culture possible. The FOXP2 is not the only gene that is involved with human language, but it is the first one to be discovered. Scientist Wolfgang Enard expresses that there could be from 10 to 10,000 other genes involved with human speech and language(BBC). Presently mutations of the FOXP2 gene cause speech and language disabilities. This is how the gene was discovered by analyzing the KE family who portray many of these speech and language disabilities. The actual identity of this family is not known but they have been used for these scientific purposes. Scientists later on found the gene encodes a protein with 715 amino acids. Our common ancestor mice have only 3 changes in the amino acid sequence. There are also only two changes in the sequence between chimpanzees and humans. Consequently the two changes in the sequence that occurred between chimpanzees and humans are much more significant than the change from mice to chimp. Since mice and chimp have relatively similar speech capabilities.

The diagram above illustrates the differences in the sequencing of the amino acids.

The discovery of FOXP2 was exciting and is continously debated on the overall importance of the gene. There have been claims that it is the gene of language or the gene of grammar, both of which are fantastical claims. The evolution of language relies on much more than the mutation of one gene, but that does not make the discovery any less important. It gives scientists a starting point to explore more possiblities and create new hypotheses on the evolution of language. 

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Sources
'Speech Gene' Tied to Modern Humans

First language gene discovered

FOXP2 and the Evolution of Language