Uncovering the Genes That Let Our Ancestors Walk Upright

Science|Uncovering the Genes That Let Our Ancestors Walk Upright

Charles Darwin unveiled his theory of evolution in 1859, in “On the Origin of Species.” But it took him another 12 years to work up the courage to declare that humans evolved, too.

In “The Descent of Man,” published in 1871, Darwin argued that humans arose from apes. And one of the most profound changes they underwent was turning into upright walkers.

“Man alone has become a biped,” Darwin wrote. Bipedalism, he declared, was one of humanity’s “most conspicuous characters.”

Scientists have now discovered some of the crucial molecular steps that led to that conspicuous character millions of years ago. A study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday suggests that our early ancestors became bipeds, as old genes started doing new things. Some genes became active in novel places in the human embryo, while others turned on and off at different times.

Scientists have long recognized that a key feature for walking upright is a bone called the ilium. It’s the biggest bone in the pelvis; when you put your hand on your hip, that’s the ilium you feel.

The left and right ilium are both fused to the base of the spine. Each ilium sweeps around the waist to the front of the belly, creating a bowllike shape. Many of the leg muscles we use in walking are anchored to the ilium. The bone also supports the pelvic floor, a network of muscles that acts like a basket for our inner organs when we stand up.