How close are humans to the apes genetically?
by 
wickedwillie
ANSWERS: 2
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Humans differ from both common chimps and bonobos in about 1.6% of DNA, and share 98.4%. Gorillas differ somewhat more, by about 2.3%, from us and from both of the chimps. Humans differ from orangutans by 3.6% of DNA, and from gibbons and siamangs by 5%.
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This question is somewhat flawed. In fact, humans ARE apes, in the same family of animals (Hominidae) as the other great apes. There are four Genuses in the Family: - Pan (Chimpanzees) - with two extant species - Pongo (Orangutans) - with one extant species - Gorilla (Gorillas) - with one extant species - Homo (Humans) - with one extant species For the closeness of our relationship to the other apes, see Kim Siever's answer regarding genetic similarities.
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