Genes for smell

I have come across something fascinating about the sense of smell.

It seems that there are about 900 genes which programme the sense of smell which have become inactive in humans (and chimpanzees), in other words these genes no longer create the correct proteins to set up the selective, sensitive odour detection our ancestors had - and other animals retain.

The genes may have become redundant when humans began to rely more on their eyes and visual imagery rather than on scent.

Perhaps in some humans one or two of these genes do become activated and create a protein(s) which selects the odour of rubber very sensitively? Or other attractive aspects of rubber and rubberised materials? And is linked to a site in the brain where pleasant feelings are processed and consciously experienced.

An interesting thought - is anybody able to look into this scientifically?

 

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