After many in-depth molecular investigations of gene families, it has become evident that the vast majority of genes have multiple copies of themselves. This seemingly unnecessary amount of duplicates led to further research, revealing that these "extra" genes cannot successfully encode proteins (Proudfoot, 1980). These genes were then labeled as functionless sequences of DNA and aptly called pseudogenes. This discovery raises many questions regarding the role and origin of these seemingly non-functional genes, but more importantly, what else can we learn from them? Unfortunately, DNA that cannot be expressed in proteins is useless as far as molecular clock investigations are concerned (Martin, 1990), however further research shows that we can learn a lot from pseudogenes. 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 sequences of transposable DNA that have been reverse transcribed from mRNA, but somehow failed to replicate crucial protein-coding elements when assimilated back into the genome (Graur and Li, 2000: Skalka and Goff, 1993 ). Untransformed pseudogenes can occur by simple replication of a pre-existing pseudogene or due to adverse point mutations in “normal” functioning genes that can trigger a frame shift in the original protein code. This frameshift can, for example, lead to a mixture of premature stop codons and elimination of splice sites, rendering the gene defective (Li, Graur, & Shuali, 1989). Pseudogenes were initially believed to have no purpose, only selfish, parasitic DNA. clogging up the genome (Orgel, Crick and ...... half of the paper ...... e4573de165161150&searchtype=a> [Accessed 12 November 2010](20) Nishikimi, M. et al. 1994. Cloning and Chromosmal Mapping of the Human Nonfunctional Gene for L-Guluno-y-Lactone Oxidase, the Enzyme for L-Absorbic Acid Biosensitive Missing in Man*, The Journal of Biological Chemistry, [online] Available at: [Accessed 12 November 2010] (21) Sakai, H. Itoh, T. Gojobori, T. 2008. Processed pseudogenes and their functional resurrection in 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 Not Functional? online] Available at: [Accessed November 9 2010]