A new study from the American Museum of Natural History is the first-ever to identify the genes for creativity in Homo sapiens that distinguish modern humans from chimpanzees and Neanderthals. The research identified 267 genes that are found only in modern humans and likely play an important role in the evolution of the behavioural characteristics that set apart modern man. These uniquely human genes code for the self-awareness brain network also regulate processes that allow Homo sapiens to be creative in narrative art and science, to be more social and cooperative, self-aware, and to live longer lives through greater resistance to ageing, injury, and illness than the now-extinct hominids they replaced. This study helps us understand how we can effectively respond to the challenges that modern humans currently face.
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