Africa Genome Education Institute

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The Africa Genome Education Institute is dedicated to the public discussion of genetics and biotechnology in Africa. We seek to share, discuss, and disseminate information about genetics and biotechnology as it impacts upon the continent. The Teaching Biology Project is a program of the AGEI.

Darwin Seminar Next Events

Cape Town Book Fair

You are invited to join Wilmot James to celebrate the publication of his new book, "Nature's Gifts: Why we are the way we are".  Dr Mamphela Ramphele will be the guest speaker.

DALRO Forum, CTICC, Cape Town, Sunday, 1 August 2010 at 4 pm.

Contact us for details or view the Events Schedule.

Darwin Trail

Darwin TrailThe Darwin Trail Map was launched officially on Sunday, 27 September 2009.

The map was presented to ten schools, using Interactive Telematic Technology through Stellenbosch University, a virtual teaching system which beams lessons out to learners through satellite broadcasting. We are very grateful to the Western Cape Education Department and the Stellenbosch University for allowing us to use lesson time to present this valuable resource.


Click here to see the map.

International Round Table to celebrate the arrival of the Beagle project
Written by Administrator   
Friday, 23 April 2010 08:41

150 years after the publication of Darwin's book ’On the Origin of Species’ the Clipper Stad Amsterdam, by request of the Dutch Broadcaster VPRO, sailed around the world following the route of the Beagle. Stad Amsterdam will be visiting South Africa for VPRO’s Beagle re-enactment voyage, Cape Town is the last harbour of this adventure. A Dutch film crew, guests and scientists will be on board

On April 25th around 11:30 am, the Clipper will be welcomed into Hout Bay with a 6-gun salute from a VOC battery under Chapmans Peak, manned by volunteer gunners in VOC regalia. Upon leaving the bay there will be a second salute. The vessel will then sail to Cape Town where it will be welcomed by a number of vessels and a performance by the famous Cape Minstrels and is due to arrive at Waterfront Jetty 2 on Sunday, April 25th at 4 pm.

On April 26th, from 9am to 5pm, a round table: ‘Stimulating Skills & Excellence in the Educational System’ will take place on board. Guests of this round table are, amongst others, Helen Zille, Premier of the Western Cape, Naledi Pandor, South African Minister of Science and Technology, Arnold Van Zyl: Professor & Vice Rector Research, University of Stellenbosch, Mike Erskine: SEEDS Programme Manager – University of Stellenbosch and Prof Raj Ramesar, Head of Human Genetics at UCT (who will discussthe unique opportunities to use current technologies to mine the rich history and (genetic) diversity of Africa, and in so doing to excite children about linking the humanities and the sciences.) The event will be moderated by Dr Wilmot James, Member of Parliament, Shadow-Minister of Higher Education and former director of the Africa Genome Education Institute (AGEI).

Read more... [International Round Table to celebrate the arrival of the Beagle project]
 
Human journey out of Africa - a perspective from language studies
Written by Prof Ekkehard Wolff   
Monday, 12 April 2010 09:55

Out of AfricaThe “Out-of-Africa” theory is based on the hypothesis that a small group of Homo sapiens left Africa some 100 000 to 80 000 years ago, the “second exit”, because there was a first exit of Homo erectus much earlier. Those who left Africa in the second exit became ancestors to all non-African populations on this planet.

Human language is specific to Homo sapiens, a relevant aspect to their evolutionary success. The major questions is: did human language emerge just once (the monogenesis theory of human language), or has it emerged independently several times (the polygenesis theory) to have given rise to the more than 6 000 languages that have been spoken on this planet? It could have emerged as many as 200 times, if we base the assumption on the confirmed language families, or much less, if we accept more recently proposed 34 (or just 7) language “super-phyla”, or language could have emerged only once.

Read more... [Human journey out of Africa - a perspective from language studies]
 
Ebony and ivory: the beautiful tale of human diversity
Written by Leonie Joubert   
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 13:15

Diversity rules OKThe colour of a person’s skin is no more than a sign of the natural evolutionary response of his or her ancestors to the amount of sun they experienced thousands of years ago. Ascribing labels or “racial” characteristics to that skin pigmentation is folly. Rather we should use the knowledge about the evolution of skin colour, seen in the marvellous sepia range of human pigmentation, as a way to educate people about the diversity of humankind.

This is the call to arms of Professor Nina Jablonski, anthropologist and palaeontologist from Penn State University, speaking in Stellenbosch on Tuesday this week as part of the African Genome Education Institute’s (AGEI) 2010 lecture series celebrating the 200 years since the birth of Charles Darwin.

Read more... [Ebony and ivory: the beautiful tale of human diversity]
 
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