Humans are 8% virus – how the ancient viral DNA in your genome plays a role in human disease and development
- Written by Aidan Burn, PhD Candidate in Genetics, Tufts University
Pandemics over the course of evolution have led to the integration of viruses into our genome.Westend61via Getty ImagesRemnants of ancient viral pandemics in the form of viral DNA sequences embedded in our genomes are still active in healthy people, according to new research my colleaguesand I recently published.
HERVs, or human endogenous...





