I wish to add to the above answer. Approximately 9% of the genome is viral in origin, but current research suggests there is less of 'you' than there are other viral related sequences. Here is a very nice listing of the percentages of various genetic elements within the human genome: http://sandwalk.blogspot.com/2008/02/theme-genomes-junk-dna.html

Although viral related sequences may comprise 9% of our DNA, there are other elements than can be considered pre-viral in origin called transposons. Our genome is composed of 44% of these elements. Add to these viral like sequences regulatory elements and telomers that are non coded and you will see our genome is more non-coding 'junk' DNA than it is genes essential for the expression of human proteins or regulation. In fact, 65% of our genome has no none function at all and may be considered non-essential fossil elements according to the http://www.sciencealert.com/not-dead-yet-junk-dna-is-back https://theconversation.com/human-genome-2-0-encode-project-debunks-junk-dna-9370

And don't think these fossils that clutter our genomic junk drawer are worthless. Studies have found many human genes were in fact initially of viral origin: http://schaechter.asmblog.org/schaechter/2014/06/retroviruses-the-placenta-and-the-genomic-junk-drawer.html

Thankfully most of these mobile genetic elements are currently inactive, but that hasn't always been the case. https://atlasofscience.org/the-fossil-viruses-from-within-that-shape-evolution/ http://grupo.us.es/gfnl/dna/genetic_ingeniering/transposons.htm

A recent study found one sequence, Alu, is found only in primates and may in fact be the agent that induced changes in our brains that allowed us to become human. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4196381/

Probably more than you wanted to know, but 8% is probably an understatement for viral like elements in the human genome

I wish to add to the above answer. Approximately 9% of the genome is viral in origin, but current research suggests there is less of 'you' than there are other viral related sequences. Here is a very nice listing of the percentages of various genetic elements within the human genome: http://sandwalk.blogspot.com/2008/02/theme-genomes-junk-dna.html

Although viral related sequences may comprise 9% of our DNA, there are other elements than can be considered pre-viral in origin called transposons. Our genome is composed of 44% of these elements. Add to these viral like sequences regulatory elements and telomers that are non coded and you will see our genome is more non-coding 'junk' DNA than it is genes essential for the expression of human proteins or regulation. In fact, 65% of our genome has no known function at all and may be considered non-essential fossil elements according to the http://www.sciencealert.com/not-dead-yet-junk-dna-is-back https://theconversation.com/human-genome-2-0-encode-project-debunks-junk-dna-9370

And don't think these fossils that clutter our genomic junk drawer are worthless. Studies have found many human genes were in fact initially of viral origin: http://schaechter.asmblog.org/schaechter/2014/06/retroviruses-the-placenta-and-the-genomic-junk-drawer.html

Thankfully most of these mobile genetic elements are currently inactive, but that hasn't always been the case. https://atlasofscience.org/the-fossil-viruses-from-within-that-shape-evolution/ http://grupo.us.es/gfnl/dna/genetic_ingeniering/transposons.htm

A recent study found one sequence, Alu, is found only in primates and may in fact be the agent that induced changes in our brains that allowed us to become human. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4196381/

Probably more than you wanted to know, but 8% is probably an understatement for viral like elements in the human genome

I wish to add to the above answer. Approximately 9% of the genome is viral in origin, but current research suggests there is less of 'you' than there are other viral related sequences. Here is a very nice listing of the percentages of various genetic elements within the human genome: http://sandwalk.blogspot.com/2008/02/theme-genomes-junk-dna.html

Although viral related sequences may comprise 9% of our DNA, there are other elements than can be considered pre-viral in origin called transposons. Our genome is composed of 44% of these elements. Add to these viral like sequences regulatory elements and telomers that are non coded and you will see our genome is more non-coding 'junk' DNA than it is genes essential for the expression of human proteins or regulation. In fact, 65% of our genome has no none function at all and may be considered non-essential fossil elements according to the http://www.sciencealert.com/not-dead-yet-junk-dna-is-back https://theconversation.com/human-genome-2-0-encode-project-debunks-junk-dna-9370

And don't think these fossils that clutter our genomic junk drawer are worthless. Studies have found many human genes were in fact initially or viral origin: http://schaechter.asmblog.org/schaechter/2014/06/retroviruses-the-placenta-and-the-genomic-junk-drawer.html

Thankfully most of these mobile genetic elements are currently inactive, but that hasn't always been the case. https://atlasofscience.org/the-fossil-viruses-from-within-that-shape-evolution/ http://grupo.us.es/gfnl/dna/genetic_ingeniering/transposons.htm

A recent study found one sequence, Alu, is found only in primates and may in fact be the agent that induced changes in our brains that allowed us to become human. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4196381/

Probably more than you wanted to know, but 8% is probably an understatement for viral like elements in the human genome

I wish to add to the above answer. Approximately 9% of the genome is viral in origin, but current research suggests there is less of 'you' than there are other viral related sequences. Here is a very nice listing of the percentages of various genetic elements within the human genome: http://sandwalk.blogspot.com/2008/02/theme-genomes-junk-dna.html

Although viral related sequences may comprise 9% of our DNA, there are other elements than can be considered pre-viral in origin called transposons. Our genome is composed of 44% of these elements. Add to these viral like sequences regulatory elements and telomers that are non coded and you will see our genome is more non-coding 'junk' DNA than it is genes essential for the expression of human proteins or regulation. In fact, 65% of our genome has no none function at all and may be considered non-essential fossil elements according to the http://www.sciencealert.com/not-dead-yet-junk-dna-is-back https://theconversation.com/human-genome-2-0-encode-project-debunks-junk-dna-9370

And don't think these fossils that clutter our genomic junk drawer are worthless. Studies have found many human genes were in fact initially of viral origin: http://schaechter.asmblog.org/schaechter/2014/06/retroviruses-the-placenta-and-the-genomic-junk-drawer.html

Thankfully most of these mobile genetic elements are currently inactive, but that hasn't always been the case. https://atlasofscience.org/the-fossil-viruses-from-within-that-shape-evolution/ http://grupo.us.es/gfnl/dna/genetic_ingeniering/transposons.htm

A recent study found one sequence, Alu, is found only in primates and may in fact be the agent that induced changes in our brains that allowed us to become human. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4196381/

Probably more than you wanted to know, but 8% is probably an understatement for viral like elements in the human genome