After much extensive molecular research on gene families, it has become clear that a large majority of genes have multiple copies of themselves. This seemingly unnecessary amount of duplicates led to further investigation, revealing that these "extra" genes cannot code for proteins correctly (Proudfoot, 1980). These genes were therefore labeled as functionless DNA sequences and aptly named pseudogenes. This discovery raises many questions about the role and origin of these supposedly non-functional genes, but more importantly, what else can we learn from them? Unfortunately, DNA that cannot be expressed into proteins is useless when it comes to molecular clock research (Martin, 1990), but further research proves that we can learn a lot from pseudogenes. In order to explore what we can learn from pseudogenes, we need to understand them. First, there are two main types of pseudogenes, processed and unprocessed. Processed pseudogenes, also known as retropseudogenes, are transposable DNA sequences that have been reverse-transcribed from mRNA, but have failed to replicate crucial protein-coding elements when they are re-assimilated in the genome (Graur and Li, 2000: Skalka and Goff, 1993). ). Unprocessed pseudogenes can arise by simple replication of a pre-existing pseudogene or due to unwanted point mutations in “normally” functioning genes that can trigger a frameshift in the original protein code. This frameshift can, for example, lead to mixing of premature stop codons and elimination of splice sites, rendering the gene defective (Li, Graur, & Shuali, 1989). Initially, pseudogenes were thought to have no purpose, just selfish parasitic DNA. obstructing the genome (Orgel, Crick and ...... middle of article ......e4573de165161150&searchtype=a> [Accessed November 12, 2010](20) Nishikimi, M. et al. 1994. Cloning and chromosmic mapping of the nonfunctional human gene for L-Guluno-y-Lactone Oxidase, the enzyme for the biosynthesis of L-absorbic acid missing in humans*, The Journal of Biological Chemistry, [online] Available at : [Accessed November 12, 2010](21) Sakai, H. Itoh, T. Gojobori, T. 2008. Processed Pseudogenes and Their Functional Resurrection in the Human and Mouse Genomes, Wiley: Online Library, [online] Available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002 /9780470015902.a0021000/abstract> [Accessed November 12, 2010]Websites(19) The True.Origin Archive: Exposing the Myth of Evolution.2010. are they non-functional? [online] Available on: [Consulted November 9 2010]