New research on greater human-gorilla links

Research by scientists in Cambridgeshire suggests humans and gorillas have a lot more in common Credit: ITV Anglia

The results of a study by scientists in Cambridgeshire suggest humans and gorillas have a lot more in common than appearances alone.

Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Hinxton analysed more than 11,000 genes in gorillas, humans and chimpanzees.

Across 15% of their genetic code, or genome, gorillas are closer to humans than chimpanzees.

In both, certain genes have also evolved at the same rate, research shows. They include genes for hearing, throwing into doubt theories linking the development of hearing and human language.

The findings emerge from the first completed genome sequence, or genetic "blueprint", of the gorilla.DNA from Kamilah - a female gorilla - was used to piece together their genetic make-up, and compare it to that of humans.

Gorillas are the last of the living great apes to have their genetic codes mapped, allowing scientists to compare the genomes of humans, chimpanzees, gorillas and orang-utans.