Here's why:
* Shared Ancestry: Humans, monkeys, and gorillas share a common ancestor that lived millions of years ago.
* Evolutionary Tree: We all evolved from that ancestor, branching off into different species over time.
* Genetic Similarity: Humans share a high percentage of their DNA with chimpanzees (our closest living relative), and even more with gorillas and other apes.
It's important to understand:
* Not "Descended From": We are not descended from modern monkeys or gorillas, but rather share a common ancestor with them.
* Different Branches: We evolved along a separate branch of the evolutionary tree.
* Continual Evolution: Evolution is an ongoing process, and humans and apes continue to evolve.
The idea that humans are related to primates is backed by strong scientific evidence, including fossil records, anatomical comparisons, and genetic analysis.