Posted on 01/20/2013 9:06:48 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
They're usually thought of as a brutish, primitive species.
So what woman would want to give birth to a Neanderthal baby?
Yet this incredible scenario is the plan of one of the worlds leading geneticists, who is seeking a volunteer to help bring mans long-extinct close relative back to life.
Professor George Church of Harvard Medical School believes he can reconstruct Neanderthal DNA and resurrect the species which became extinct 33,000 years ago.
His scheme is reminiscent of Jurassic Park but, while in the film dinosaurs were created in a laboratory, Professor Churchs ambitious plan requires a human volunteer.
He said his analysis of Neanderthal genetic code using samples from bones is complete enough to reconstruct their DNA.
He said: Now I need an adventurous female human.
It depends on a hell of a lot of things, but I think it can be done.
Professor Churchs plan would begin by artificially creating Neanderthal DNA based on genetic code found in fossil remains. He would put this DNA into stem cells.
These would be injected into cells from a human embryo in the early stages of life.
It is thought that the stem cells would steer the development of the hybrid embryo on Neanderthal lines, rather than human ones...
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Seed of Chucky :)
Indeed just what we need another Obama.
I read a short story about that very thing. It all started with a scientist cloning a Neanderthal, just as this article describes.
Most scientists agree that Neanderthals were dumber than we are. Their tool set remained unchanged over the 200,000 Plus years they were on earth. They never learned to throw their spears and they never invented the bow. They used their spears as stabbing weapons as evidenced by the many injuries evident by breaks to the bones of the fossils that have been found, breaks obviously caused by trying to kill large animals while in close proximity to them. All of this speaks of a limited intelligence.
I’m guessing that the Octomom is already in contact with them. She’s “adventurous” (crazy) and probably looking for another fifteen minutes of fame (and a check!)
re: “He would put this DNA into stem cells. These would be injected into cells from a human embryo in the early stages of life.”
Sure, why not? That “human” embryo is just an nonviable tissue mass, right? (sarc.)
Nothing unethical here.
From what I’ve read since writing my initial comment, it does seem that modern humans probably won out because we were nerdier and more socially connected.
Earlier I was imagining a conversation:
Neanderthal: What you making funny thing?
Modern Human: Me not know.
Neanderthal: What it for?
Modern Human: Me think maybe could try use for hunt game. [TWANG]
Neanderthal: Unng-hhhh.
Modern Human: Sorry.
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GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach | |
Thanks 2ndDivisionVet. |
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It was in a science fiction collection. I haven’t found the actual collection, so I can’t tell you, or even the name of the story. If I find it, I’ll let you know.
Sure, why not? That human embryo is just an nonviable tissue mass, right? (sarc.)
Nothing unethical here.
The technique described has been used for many years to make transgenic animals. If you've ever seen pictures of fluorescent rabbits, fish, dogs, etc., this is how they were made.
I seriously doubt any research proposal using this technology on humans would get past an IRB.
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