Biology Week 3 - Human and Chimp Genes

Human DNA is, on average, 96% identical to the DNA of our most distant primate relatives, and nearly 99% identical to our closest relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos.  I checked multiple sources regarding gene comparison between humans and chimps and all of them were within a few tenths of each other, with 99% at the middle.

What do most living primates have in common?

• Large brains (in relation to body size) 
• Vision more important than sense of smell 
• Hands adapted for grasping 
• Long life spans and slow growth 
• Few offspring, usually one at a time 
• Complex social groups

The science behind these findings is logical to me.  The separation of chimpanzee and human species being a long slow process does not create any internal angst for me.  Honestly all living things on this earth share common DNA, I believe, because we are all originated from the cosmic "Big Bang".  I just hope that humans can learn to live with respect and balance among all forms of life before we destroy it all.