A decade ago, anthropologist Donald Johanson wrote "From Lucy to Language," the story of our family tree as told by fossil remains, the most famous of which may be his own discovery, the skeleton known as 'Lucy.' That find, made in November 1974 at the site of Hadar in Ethiopia, consisted of about 40 percent of a skeleton of a hominid that walked upright, stood about three and a half feet tall, and was just less than 3.18 million years old.

In this hour, we'll talk with Dr. Johanson about the latest in human origins research, and how our understanding of human origins has changed over the years.

Above, from left to right, top row: Sahelanthropus tchadensis, Orrorin turgenensis, Kenyanthropus platyops, Australopithecus afarensis, male and female Australopithecus afarensis. Bottom row, left to right: Australopithicus africanus, Homo floresiensis, Homo georgicus, and Omo 1. The Australopithecus afarensis and Australopithicus africanus images are used courtesy of the Institute of Human Origins. All other images are from the book FROM LUCY TO LANGUAGE, published by Simon and Schuster, and are used with permission.

Plus, can patents prevent scientific progress? An opinion paper published this week in the journal Science argues that patents could be holding back scientific research in areas such as solving optimization problems with computers, psychological research, and genetic analysis. "Open access to basic laws of nature, products of nature, and mathematical formulae is necessary for scientists to explore and innovate,” wrote co-author Lori Andrews. We'll talk with her about patents and the scientific process. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (3-4 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
Donald Johanson
Co-author, "From Lucy to Language" (2006, Simon & Schuster)
Founder and Director, Institute of Human Origins
Virginia M. Ullman Chair in Human Origins
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona

Blake Edgar
Co-author, "From Lucy to Language" (2006, Simon & Schuster)
Acquisitions Editor, Science Publishing Group
University of California Press
Berkeley, California

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Lori Andrews
Distinguished Professor of Law
Director, Institute for Science, Law and Technology
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Chicago, Illinois

Books/Articles Discussed:

"From Lucy to Language" by Donald Johansen and Blake Edgar. Simon & Schuster, 2006.

"Sequence," by Lori Andrews. St Martin's Minotaur, 2006.

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This segment produced by Karin Vergoth