How closely related are humans to apes?

Answer 1

There is currently no evidence to support a relation.

Evolutionists will always attempt to use the now outdated and disproved idea of chromosome fusion.

Chimpanzees have 48 (24 pairs) chromosomes while man has 46 (23 pairs). Evolutionists claim, without evidence, that two chromosomes in the putative humanchimp common ancestor possibly fused to become the human chromosome 2. The number of chromosomes of a species has little to do with the complexity of the organism or the amount of DNA. Jackrabbits, hares, cultivated tobacco, and most types of potato also have 48 chromosomes. Does that mean that we also share jackrabbits, hares, tobacco, and potatoes as our common ancestors too? Obviously not. Guppies, like humans, also have 46 chromosomes, but there are many differences in the genetic blueprints that make a guppy and the genetic blueprints that make a human. Therefore within our current species and others we can clearly observe that an exact number of chromosomes or a closeness in chromosomes proves nothing.

In summary conclusion, the chimpanzee and human genome projects demonstrated that the fusion did not result in loss of protein coding genes. Instead, the human locus contains approximately 150 thousand additional base pairs NOT found in chimpanzee chromosome 12 and 13 (now also known as 2A and 2B). If fusion had occurred, then it would have left the fused product with less DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) not more.

Another Perspective

The most recent genetic studies show that humans are most closely related to the orangutan. Scientists have recently completed the mapping of the genetic code for the orangutan and found they share a 97% of our DNA. Orangutans both in and out of captivity show that we share some unmistakable traits. It's lucky for us that we diverged so long ago since our cousins are slowly becoming extinct. As science becomes more and more sophisticated, especially in the world of DNA studies, we are getting the benefit of more and more answers.

Update: In 2012 scientists completed the genome of the bonobo, an African ape. When added to the genomes that have already been completed for orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees we now have a complete DNA catalogue of the great apes. The studies show that humans are most closely related to bonobos and chimpanzees. The three are more closely related to each other than any is to gorillas.

See the related link for more information.

Answer 2

Scientifically speaking we apes because we fit the criteria very well. We do look fairly different though which can be attributed to our unique lifestyles. Some physical aspects unique to us are the fact that we stand upright, have very thin hairs which makes us appear to have less hair than the other apes, big highly developed brain, exceptionally weak strengh to mass ratio, a body adapted for running, much more variety of visual alleles caused by emigrating out of Africa, we require less sleep, etc. Some mental distinctions include much less fear towards bodies of water, much more devoped reasoning, significantly worse short term memory which as of now can only be said in comparison to Chimpanzees, etc. If you look at genetics you will find that Orangoutangs are actually the most distant of apes not humans. Non-human apes have even demonstrated things like committing suicide due to depression, interspecial war, torture, rape, and feeding other animals.