When scientists sequenced the Neanderthal genome in 2010, it was a huge milestone. They discovered that Neanderthals interbred with our ancestors, meaning many people today carry up to 4% of Neanderthal DNA. This finding opened doors to a fascinating question: Is it possible to bring Neanderthals back to life?
George Church, a genetics professor at Harvard, suggested it might be possible. He mentioned that we could chop up the Neanderthal genome and reassemble it in human stem cells. However, this would require what he describes as “an adventurous female human” to act as a surrogate.
The company Church co-founded, Colossal Biosciences, has been in the news for its work on de-extincting species like the dire wolf and woolly mammoth. Despite initial optimism about bringing back Neanderthals, many experts argue that the challenges are immense.
Jennifer Raff, a biological anthropologist, states, “Attempting to resurrect a Neanderthal is morally wrong.” She points out that merging Neanderthal DNA with human eggs won’t work due to issues like immune compatibility. Even though ancient humans and Neanderthals interbred, the limited Neanderthal DNA present in modern humans suggests many genes were not beneficial and faded away over time.
Another challenge is cloning. Hank Greely, a bioethicist, states that we would need a Neanderthal cell, which we obviously lack. Although CRISPR technology allows for genome editing, retrieving a truly authentic Neanderthal would be tough.
Raff warns of ethical issues, arguing it’s wrong to create a being that could not consent to its own existence. Greely acknowledges that while human embryos cannot be legally edited in the U.S. or EU, loopholes exist elsewhere.
Interestingly, if Neanderthals were resurrected, their experiences in the 21st century might be troubling. Raff mentions the loneliness they would likely face, lacking a community or culture to belong to. The life of a resurrected Neanderthal among modern humans could be isolating and fraught with challenges.
There’s also the question of what we could actually learn from a Neanderthal brought back to life. The world has changed dramatically since they went extinct over 30,000 years ago. A resurrected Neanderthal wouldn’t necessarily reflect the original social structure, language, or daily life of their ancient kin.
Experts argue that investigating ancient remains, like Ötzi the Iceman or Tollund Man, has proven to be incredibly insightful. These finds give a clearer picture of how Neanderthals lived, their diets, and even the conditions they faced.
While bringing Neanderthals back might capture the imagination, the ethical dilemmas and scientific challenges suggest that studying what remains of their past may be a much better path forward.
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