Could we one day bring back Neanderthals? With exciting advancements in genetic engineering, this idea is moving closer to reality. Some scientists believe it might happen within the next two decades. However, the questions surrounding the ethics, legality, and science of reviving this ancient cousin of ours are complicated and controversial.
Scientists made a major breakthrough in 2010 by mapping the entire Neanderthal genome. It turned out that many people today carry up to 4% Neanderthal DNA. This led to a bold question: Could we actually bring back a species that has been gone for thousands of years? In 2013, George Church, a geneticist at Harvard, talked about how we might reconstruct the Neanderthal genome. His method involves mixing Neanderthal DNA with human stem cells, and then imagining a “very adventurous” woman carrying the embryo.
Church is not just talking big; he co-founded Colossal Biosciences, which aims to bring back creatures like the woolly mammoth. This work has included creating gene-edited “woolly mice” and cloned dire wolves. But the stakes are much higher when it comes to reviving Neanderthals.
Jennifer Raff, a biological anthropologist at the University of Kansas, is firm on this: “That is one of the most unethical things I can possibly think of to attempt — full stop,” she said in an interview with Live Science.
Reviving Neanderthals is not just about piecing together DNA. Live Science explains that biological issues could make this process incredibly tricky. There are concerns about immune system compatibility and how Neanderthal genes might react to today’s environment.
Cloning offers another route, but it presents challenges too. Hank Greely, who directs the Center for Law and the Biosciences at Stanford University, points out that to clone a Neanderthal, we’d need actual Neanderthal cells. Since those don’t exist anymore, we’d be left trying to edit human cells, which is limited by today’s technology.
“You might be able to make 20 to 50 changes now,” Greely explains about CRISPR tools. “But at some point, you’ll be able to change the entire thing.”
While making a Neanderthal baby seems plausible, Greely suggests it’s unlikely to happen due to ethical concerns.
Even if scientists could pull it off, the moral implications would be staggering. If a Neanderthal were born today, they might be isolated and misunderstood. Raff warns that this being wouldn’t just be a throwback to ancient times. They’d face modern challenges without roots or community. Instead of a fulfilling life, they could end up as a scientific novelty or a public spectacle.
The overall value of creating a Neanderthal also comes into question. Archaeologist Rebecca Wragg Sykes, author of Kindred: Neanderthal Life, Love, Death and Art, argues that resurrecting a single Neanderthal wouldn’t reveal much about their diverse populations and rich cultures. “It wouldn’t answer the interesting questions we have about them,” she pointed out.
On the legal front, laws around gene editing are strict in places like the U.S. and much of Europe. However, some regions have minimal restrictions. Greely notes that “there’s no law against making Neanderthals.” This raises concerns about unregulated biotech companies pursuing de-extinction for profit rather than knowledge.
The scientific community is increasingly concerned. *“Ancient hominid de-extinction should not be left in the hands of private, closely held, for-profit companies,” warns researchers. Without strong global rules, ethics may struggle to keep pace with fast-moving technology.
As we explore these possibilities, it’s essential to balance curiosity with careful consideration. The story of Neanderthals isn’t just about bringing them back; it’s about understanding our responsibility in doing so.
