A researcher reconstructs an individual's genome using ancient DNA samplesJoachim Burger
Posted on 10/04/2024 6:45:55 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Ancient DNA is often fragmented and heavily degraded, making it difficult for researchers to extract and to determine the exact sequence of base pairs in a DNA molecule, a process referred to as sequencing.
In 2010, geneticists successfully mapped an entire Neanderthal genome for the first time. They made the groundbreaking discovery that, even though Neanderthals went extinct about 30,000 years ago, many people today still have genetic variations passed down from these distant human relatives. Fourteen years later, a team of researchers has unveiled a newly sequenced genome belonging to a 200,000-year-old male Denisovan. This archaic human species was itself discovered by recovering DNA from remains in Siberia's Denisova Cave. Modern humans also share some genetic material with Denisovans. Recent studies of ancient DNA have revealed much more about the human past beyond our genetic connections to extinct human species. In the last decade, scientists have sequenced the genomes of more than 10,000 ancient individuals—some of whom lived more than 400,000 years ago.
Advances in techniques used to extract and analyze ancient DNA have enabled researchers to recover and study genetic material from an ever-expanding range of archaeological sources, including something as seemingly insignificant as a dark stain in the soil. In order to chart human migration patterns, investigate animal domestication, and reconstruct ancient landscapes, archaeogeneticists continue to develop innovative methods of researching ancient DNA. These new approaches enable them to explore topics ranging from the shifting population of the Roman Empire to the lineage of an extinct dog treasured by the Indigenous Coast Salish peoples of the Pacific Northwest to the specific plants that grew in an Assyrian king's garden.
(Excerpt) Read more at archaeology.org ...
A researcher reconstructs an individual's genome using ancient DNA samplesJoachim Burger
Yeah it is actually pretty cool. As long as they are honest about results. I’m not so sure they always are.
These kinds of articles make me think that I chose the wrong career. Sure, I got to do medical research and help to create the basis of future medicine. But, how cool is it to use those same molecular tools to find out about our past?
It’s not going to end well.
Haven’t they read Jurassic Park?
Messing with DNA is going where we have neither the wisdom nor morality to responsibly handle it.
Regards,
“As long as they are honest about results. I’m not so sure they always are.”
Agree but the implication that a humanoid species walked the planet 400,000 years ago sounds a bit much. But that also could support a concept some folks wonder about that being homo sapiens as we know us today are v3.0 or more.
Discovering fire and using it is not the same as messing with the very essence of who we are as human beings and what makes us human.
Terrible analogy on your part.
Uh, no. If Sci-fi were science instead of fiction we’d all be living in Jetson stilt houses and using flying cars.
Agreed.
I love sci-fi and have read plenty of it.
Most was written with an assumption of morality in the human nature. They didn’t foresee the lack of it and the abuses of technology that could occur without a solid, moral base.
I wholeheartedly agree.
Besides, a better analogy would be the discovery and use by cavemen of fire and us of nuclear energy.
And look how responsible we are with nuclear energy.
Quite the contrary, with Jurassic Park being exhibit A.
Nuclear energy came along after nuclear weapons. The only time nukes have been used was by the US, and were used responsibly, except for people who think Japan’s attack on the US was justified.
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