Prehistoric+DNA+=+Human+Mysteries?

[|Prehistoric DNA = Human Mysteries?] March 25, 2004

It might be possible to take out the DNA of human bones and compare them to the DNA of fossilized prehistoric creatures. Experts in chemistry are trying to understand and successfully compare these two copies of DNA. Like Hendrik Poinar says, “DNA is a relatively weak molecule comparatively speaking, yet under certain conditions it persists in the fossil record despite what chemistry predicts.” Anthropologists are constantly in debate on this subject. Some argue on issues all the way from migration of species affecting the DNA to the classification of the new found species.The DNA that is extracted can be compared to extinct species. Such as the DNA of the common pigeon is relative and very similar to the DNA of the extinct bird the dodo. The main key into finding the similarities is how and where the samples have been preserved or stored. This variable determines how accurate the DNA is.

rstiteler March 10, 2010