Crossword Genius

A mother without whom none of us would exist! (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

adam

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'without whom none of us would exist' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'a mother' is the wordplay.
'mother' becomes 'dam' (female parent of an animal).
'a'+'dam'='ADAM'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for adam that I've seen before include "- - Bede by George Eliot" , "first in the race?" , "The first known ancestor" , "Early man" , "Man on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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