Readers discuss ‘uniquely human’ DNA and Mars’ volcanic activity

What makes a modern human?

Just 1.5 to 7 percent of human DNA is unique to modern humans, Tina Hesman Saey reported in “Most human DNA is not unique to us” (SN: 8/14/21, p. 7).

Reader Mark Jenike wondered how the new research squares with the well-known finding that we humans share more than 98 percent of our DNA with chimpanzees and bonobos.