My Aching Back! How humans started walking upright and why we’re still paying for it

Posted Monday, August 13, 2007

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Millions of years ago our ancestors began walking on two legs. No one knows why, exactly--did it save energy? Did it leave hands and arms free for other tasks? Whatever the reason, local scientists Scott Simpson and Bruce Latimer suggest we're still paying for it, mostly in the form of slipped discs. Monday at nine, we'll talk with the good doctors about the evolutionary processes that lead to our need for a hot bath after a day of hard work. You're invited to join us with your questions.

Additional Information

Drs. Latimer and Simpson will lead a Science Cafe, Monday night at the Great Lakes Brewery.
Check out the recent Nova episode about a human family that doesn't walk upright.

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