An article by Steve Connor:

``Scientists have discovered a dramatic variation in the genetic make-up of humans that could lead to a fundamental reappraisal of what causes incurable diseases and could provide a greater understanding of mankind.

``The discovery has astonished scientists studying the human genome - the genetic recipe of man. Until now it was believed the variation between people was due largely to differences in the sequences of the individual `letters' of the genome.

``It now appears much of the variation is explained instead by people having multiple copies of some key genes that make up the human genome.''

Full story:
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/science_technology/article2007490.ece

Reference:
Redon R., et al. Nature, 444. 444-454 (2006).

Additionally, a related article (Razi Khaja et al.) will appear in the next issue of Nature Genetics.