Was going to add this to this 'Sissy Scientists' thread but think it a worthy topic on it's own. Also could be Media, or Research so put it in General. It looks to actually be more than just a DNA project and mentions trying to get Homo erectus any other extinct hominid DNA.
Interesting implications for a lot of what we talk about here...BBC News version of new DNA project
Full Version: $40 million DNA mapping project
QUOTE
Now everybody else has a chance to trace their roots -- Using a kit that can be ordered online through www.nationalgeographic.com/genographic, you can send in samples of cells scraped from the inside of your mouth. You may view the results later on the Web site.
edited to add quote from article-
QUOTE
If you go back far enough, we're all related. Bringing that fact home in a fractious world may be the most valuable lesson the project can teach.
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..."There are still many questions we haven't answered..."
...Is it possible to obtain intact DNA from the remains of Homo erectus and other extinct hominids?...
...Is it possible to obtain intact DNA from the remains of Homo erectus and other extinct hominids?...
I have no working understanding of DNA, but I'm already suspicious.
If DNA can't be determined from alleged sasquatch feces and hair samples (which is claimed don't match anything known), how can DNA be determined from the fossilized bone of creatures that are supposedly many thousands of years old?
QUOTE(Huntster @ Apr 13 2005, 11:43 AM)
If DNA can't be determined from alleged sasquatch feces and hair samples (which is claimed don't match anything known), how can DNA be determined from the fossilized bone of creatures that are supposedly many thousands of years old?
I think DNA can be recovered from bones up to 100,000 years old.
QUOTE(Huntster @ Apr 13 2005, 10:43 AM)
I have no working understanding of DNA, but I'm already suspicious.
If DNA can't be determined from alleged sasquatch feces and hair samples (which is claimed don't match anything known), how can DNA be determined from the fossilized bone of creatures that are supposedly many thousands of years old?
If DNA can't be determined from alleged sasquatch feces and hair samples (which is claimed don't match anything known), how can DNA be determined from the fossilized bone of creatures that are supposedly many thousands of years old?
This project doesn't take DNA from fossils. They are taking DNA from living humans. The idea is that most humans don't move more than a few miles per generation. (Just enough to get away from the inlaws
). America is different with all the immigration, but even in America there are ancient people. So by analyzing genetic closeness between say Ireland and Spain, you can attempt to figure out migration patterns and timing.You can do the same thing with other artifacts besides DNA, such as languages and art forms.
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