Gonorrhea Steals DNA From Humans

Found on Wired on Sunday, 13 February 2011
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Researchers have discovered the first case of a direct transfer of a human DNA fragment to a bacterial genome. The guilty party? Gonorrhea.

"This has evolutionary significance because it shows you can take broad evolutionary steps when you're able to acquire these pieces of DNA. The bacterium is getting a genetic sequence from the very host it's infecting."

Doing the same in our world has less evolutionary significance, but more legal consequences. Luckily, lawyers cannot sue a bacteria. So for now, evolution is safe.