Source: google.com via Lisa on Pinterest
Scientists sequenced the Neanderthal genome in 2010 and discovered that modern humans ~ not originating from Africa ~ carry between 1%-4% of their DNA.
Why is that?
It is theorized that modern humans who migrated out of Africa came across groups of Neanderthals and make some little hybrid baby people. Neanderthals themselves eventually died out about 23,000 years ago, but a tiny part of them lives on in us.
Cool.
In comes Harvard geneticist, George Church, this month who said that since we know the genome of the Neanderthal, we could possibly resurrect the species by using a host female chimp or human.
People went all crazy as if this geneticist was actively searching for surrogate mothers to carry and deliver neanderthal babies on Craigslist.
He was not.
He was talking of possibilities and science and that if humans made the decision to create and clone Neanderthals some time in the future, they would have to start talking about it and preparing for it now.
Scientific truth?
Humans are too homogeneous and it may benefit our species to diversify because then we would be in better shape to survive a catastrophic event, like a sudden climate change.
Okay, I get the reasoning for diversity. Honestly I do.
BUT
This brings up a few issues for me.
- Humans wielding God-like powers.
- Scientists don’t know much about the species, so they wouldn’t even know exactly what they would be creating.
- The ‘life’ of this Neanderthal would be under a constant microscope and would never leave the lab. …Some life…
- If he did leave the lab, can you imagine the horrible torturous life he/she would have? I mean, humans bully fellow humans to the point of insanity ~ imagine a Neanderthal running around.
- The psychological and social effect on the women giving birth to the babies.
- Would our laws protect this new species?
- The thought of it brings Hitler to my mind.
We can only hope that scientists remember Jurassic Park.
Image from Jurrasicpark.com
…and The Island of Dr. Moreau.
Image from Wikipedia
I mean, I’m sure Neanderthals were a great sub-species and all, but there is a reason they don’t exist anymore. Just as there is a reason that dinosaurs don’t exist and dodo birds and Saber-tooth tigers and passenger pigeons.
Would I love to see a Saber-tooth tiger with my own eyes or have my own passenger pigeon to deliver letters for me? Sure.
But, just because you can do something, it doesn’t mean you should.
Maybe we will be extinct one day and maybe cross breeding with resurrected Neanderthals may have saved us, but ~ well, if homo sapiens ever become extinct, there will be a reason for that too.
What are your thoughts about diversifying the human species? Should Neanderthals save humans? Do you think humans will ever be ready to accept that type of thing? Where is the scientific line when society says enough is enough? Is there a line?
I think it’s worth talking about, because the dialogue around most of the issues you raised would have unforeseeable – and not necessarily negative – consequences. I’m not saying I think we should clone anybody (human, neanderthal, chicken, anybody), just that since it’s likely someone will try (if they aren’t already) better to do it in the context of public discussion rather than off in secret someplace.
You’ve nailed it. I have the sneaking suspicion it is already being worked on and having it out in the open would be best, for sure.
Excellent points to consider. I think it’s better to start with other animal species (isn’t there an elephant pregnant with a woolly mammoth right now??). I do confess to being terribly curious about extinct hominid species–did they share qualities that we today see as exclusively human? Did they have the same intelligence? Did they make art? Believe in a higher power? Make music, sing songs, come up with poetry?
Maybe the only other sentient species we ever come in contact with is if we resurrect extinct hominids. O.o Okay, that just gave me the chills!
I did read about the woolly mammoth ~ I don’t know if it was in the works or happening. I’m going to go look it up though!
I’m curious about it too ~ especially since we don’t know much about them or why/how they disappeared from the earth.
That’s a wild thought, Rabia *shiver*
Great, thought-provoking post, Kim. I have a problem with the human god-complex too.
I’ve been recently reading Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next books, in which they reverse engineer many extinct species, including Neaderthals…
Thanks, Ellen! After I wrote the post I thought, hmm ~ this would make an interesting book! Funny you’re reading about it. Will be adding to my reading list ~ thanks for the info.