News Anthropology Did small hominids have a genetic defect? By Ben Harder July 12, 2006 at 9:53 am - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to print (Opens in new window) Print From Boston, at a meeting of the Endocrine Society Miniature humans whose prehistoric remains were recently unearthed on an Indonesian island may have had a genetic disease known as Laron syndrome. The 2004 discovery of Homo floresiensis (SN: 10/30/04, p. 275: Evolutionary Shrinkage: Stone Age Homo find offers small surprise) suggested that this apparently close relative of Homo sapiens may have coexisted with modern humans as recently as 12,000 years ago (see “Little Ancestor, Big Debate,” in this week’s issue).