Neanderthals have been extinct for thousands of years. However, with new scientific developments, such implantation of DNA in surrogate mothers, the discovery of the DNA of Neanderthals, and various other processes, we have the chance to do something extra-ordinary. Scientists today have the full capacity to develop and grow a Neanderthal. This would prove an extraordinary feat as this would be the first time that the human race has ever brought a fully extinct species back to life.
This inverto process would require the insertion of Neanderthal DNA into a surrogate mothers, who would act as a host for this child. The genetic information would be inserted into the embryo of a healthy egg, and then fertilize it through sexual reproduction. Then, for nine months this child would grow and develop most likely like a normal human child; however, at childbirth a c-section would have performed, as the hips of humans are much smaller than those of female Neanderthals, and would cause extreme pain and scarring to the mother. But the birth of this child would mark a new age in the scientific community.
The benefits of this process is tremendous. Firstly, it shows that we can bring the genetic material of a dead organism back to life. Not like Dolly the sheep, who was alive when the clone was made; this would be the rebirth of a whole species! It also would show the potential of inserting a persons whole genome into an egg, and thereby creating a clone of a human! This could start a whole line of research into a type of “reincarnation cycle”, or the infinite renewal of a complete genome.
However, some problems may arise in the aftermath of this procedure. It could be discovered that the DNA was insufficient to create a truly healthy and happy specimen. It could have genetic defects or other problems from this artificial birth. Scientific studies on this child could also be problematic in the healthy growth and development of the child. The child might not have a brain mentally prepared for our strange and exotic world, and as such might not be able to integrate into our society, leaving it to live a life in labs and cages.
There are some moral quarrels to this. This species died out thousands of years ago, so to bring it back would be like bringing Frankenstein back to life. And even if this child was born, it could be put on display like a circus freak, or kept in cages at the zoo. The birth of this child would be a scientific breakthrough, but it would be at the cost of the child's dignity, sanctity, and overall rights as a living, breathing person.
So should we bring the Neanderthal back to life? It is a question that tests all of our moral, scientific, and religious standings. It would test the boundaries of man scientifically, but also test how far we as a species is willing to go to get answers. This quandary will shape the future of our species, whether we will live forever, or if we must find another way to test our hypotheses which pose moral dilemmas. Resources:
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