Quadrupedal syndrome and human evolution

[trehinp]

Subscribing to Cogprints I received this morning this article published in Intern. J. Neuroscience, 116:361–369, 2006:

A NEW SYNDROME WITH QUADRUPEDAL GAIT, PRIMITIVE SPEECH, AND SEVERE MENTAL RETARDATION AS A LIVE MODEL FOR HUMAN EVOLUTION

UNER TAN, Cukurova University, Medical School, Department of Physiology, Adana, Turkey

Article full text here

from Cogprints:
Abstract
The author has discovered a new syndrome with quadrupedal gait, flexed head and body, primitive speech, severe mental retardation, and mild cerebellar signs with a disturbed conscious experience. This syndrome was exhibited by 5 of 19 children from a consanguineous family. The pedigree demonstrated a typical autosomal-recessive inheritance. The genetic nature of this syndrome suggests a backward stage in human evolution, which is most probably caused by a genetic mutation, rendering, in turn, the transition from quadrupedality to bipedality. This would then be consistent with theories of punctuated evolution. On the other hand, the extensor motor system causing a resistance of the body against the gravity may actually be subjected to evolutionary forces. This new syndrome may be used as a live model for human evolution.

My post is by no mean a form of support to this hypothesis which is very challenging to say the least... I would like to have the point of view of some specialists about it as I'm certainly not in a position to evaluate its scientific value.

Paul Trehin

[Daryl Habel]

Paul,

I remember the original announcement and the hype surrounding the fact that a BBC documentary was being produced at the same time.  I have no expertise which would allow me to offer an opinion on the  validity of Dr Uner Tan's claim, but from responses gathered since the original announcement was made a few months ago, it certainly can be said the claim is very controversial.

For more information, you could begin by reading: Evolution of a media circus here

which is merely a blog without any real scientific validity, but  the title expresses my impression of this affair, rightly or wrongly, and  does contain a number of  useful hyperlinks to more information.  In particular, I'd suggest checking out:
World Science website here

and be sure to visit the links in the "Special Reports" box at the World Science site (one of these leads to a quote by a U.S. biologist, Keith Crandall of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, who said the idea is nothing extraordinary, calling it a “nice and testable hypothesis.” HERE

Dr. Crandall seems to think the claim has some testable merit, but it appears Dr. Uner Tan's claim has many others who oppose it, even calling the idea ridiculous.  I don't have a clue, however, like you, I'd appreciate comment by specialists from a scientific point of view.

Dar 

[trehinp]

In line with the first article which started this thread, here is anothe one on the same topic:

EVIDENCE FOR "UNERTAN SYNDROME" AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE HUMAN MIND
Tan, Prof. Dr. Uner (2006) EVIDENCE FOR "UNERTAN SYNDROME" AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE HUMAN MIND. International Journal of Neuroscience 116(7):pp. 763-774.

Abstract
A new family exhibiting “Unertan Sydnrome” was discovered. The pedigree analysis showed marriages between relatives. This family was similar to the first one (see Tan, 2006a), providing a firm evidence for the new syndrome. The affected children showed habitual quadrupedal walking gait, that is, they walked on wrists and feet with straight legs and arms. Their heads and bodies were mildly flexed; they exhibited mild cerebellar signs, and severe mental retardation. The pedigree demonstrated a typical autosomal-recessive inheritance. The genetic nature of this syndrome suggests a backward stage in human evolution (devolution), which would be consistent with theories of punctuated evolution. The results reflected a new theory on the evolution of human beings. That is, the evolution of humans would in fact be the evolution of the extensor motor system, responsible for upright posture, against the gravitational forces. This would be coupled with the emergence of the human mind, which can be considered a reflexion of the human motor system, in accord with the psychomotor theory (see Tan, 2005a). The most important characteristic of the newly emerged human mind was the resistance against gravitational forces. This was the resistive mind, the origins of human creativity.

Full text available as:  PDF
 
Interesting hypothesis...

Paul Trehin
http://cogprints.org/5011/01/EVIDENCE%5FFOR%5FUNERTAN%5F%5FIJN%5F%5B1%5D.pdf