FOXP2: An interesting theory

At the beginning the theory of FOXP2 sounded for me like a Star Wars episode, I just had in mind those sci-fi scenes with big labs and fast rockets. However, looking carefully on the net I found that the FoxP2 is actually a gene and protein that was discovered in the nineties of the twentieth century, it is related to human language: its mutation correlates with certain specific disorders of language

Although it has been given gene expression or speech language to characterize it, it is one factor among those responsible for human competence for language. However, it is an indication that, probably, in the human language are involved some genetic factors: although its exact function is unknown, it seems essential for its normal development of language.

FOXP2 is expressed in several areas of the brain during embryogenesis, although it is unclear whether gene activation occurs in the embryonic stage and if that happens the moment you start to learn to speak. Their levels are highest in layer of the cortex, subcortical structures especially the base of the brain (very close to the corpus callosum): basal ganglia, thalamus and cerebellum. It is also present in embryogenesis of other human organs: lungs, intestine and heart.

It has been suggested also that the same version of the gene was present in Neanderthals, having been modified by natural selection during recent human evolution over the past 200 000 years.

The discovery was made by a group of genetic Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, led by Simon Fisher. They had been alerted from an English school of logotherapy about a group of children from the same family (called conventionally KE) who had certain defects of speech and language going back to the great-grandparents. Since disorders manifested block, and to varying degrees, it was understood that its origin was in default of a single allele. Simon Fisher's group identified a mutation in a segment of chromosome 7, at the site where the gene FoxP2 is located.

Although it sounds kind of strange it cannot be far from the truth if you think about how many things can be located in the brain but not discovered yet. We can think about Language as a genetic gift and why not? If we have looked at it as a gift from God. I think that the human body is perfect, everything inside us is there for some reason, we can say that FOXP2 gene give us the chance of producing and understanding language and maybe can be the reason of different diseases presented in our children's development of language. I just have to say that there are infinite ways to look at the language, in that order of ideas we have to consider theories, no matter how new or crazy they sound. Being a Linguist also requires being open-minded, not to every single issue or theory presented, but to be very rational, curious and try to figure out the reason why those theories are presented.  All of these theories are relevant and need respect since they have been conducted seriously and even more if we take into account that in Linguistics we have improved a lot but not enough to discover the innate nature of Language. 

More information: http://www.foxp2.com/