According to a recent report from the British "Daily Mail," American scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by decoding 80% of the genome of a prehistoric mammoth using a sample of its hair. Though it may seem unremarkable, this achievement marks a significant step forward in the quest to bring back an extinct giant of the Ice Age.
The research was conducted using a hair sample that had been preserved for thousands of years in the Siberian permafrost, alongside the remains of a frozen mammoth. By analyzing the DNA extracted from these ancient specimens, scientists have gained new insights into the evolution of mammoths and their close relationship with modern elephants—closer than previously believed. This breakthrough could eventually lead to the genetic resurrection of the mammoth.
Scientists used DNA from two mammoth remains found in the Siberian freeze zone, conducting a study reminiscent of the fictional world of "Jurassic Park." In a recent issue of the journal *Nature*, researchers revealed that one mammoth had been buried for 20,000 years, while the other had been preserved for at least 60,000 years. Through careful analysis, they were able to reconstruct 80% of the mammoth's genetic code.
The findings show that the two mammoths were closely related, sharing 99.4% of their genes. The study also suggests that mammoths and modern elephants diverged on separate evolutionary paths around 6 million years ago, similar to how humans and chimpanzees split. Two million years later, mammoths themselves split into two groups—one going extinct 45,000 years ago, and the other disappearing at the end of the last ice age about 10,000 years ago.
Mammoths stood up to 10 feet tall, with males being larger than females. Their curved tusks could reach impressive lengths, and their underbelly fur could grow up to 3 feet long. To date, around 40 mammoth bodies have been discovered in Siberia. Scientists chose to use hair for their study because it preserves DNA better than other parts of the body.
Some researchers believe that using preserved mammoth skin or hair could be key to cloning the species. Dr. Stephan Schuster, who led the study at Pennsylvania State University, said: “In theory, by decoding this genome, we can gain valuable information. One day, if we can incorporate unique mammoth DNA into the genome of modern elephants, it might help resurrect the mammoth.â€
However, not everyone is convinced. Dr. Michael Bunce from Murdoch University in Australia warned against overestimating the possibilities. He stated, “Having the DNA code of an organism doesn’t mean we can revive it through genetic engineering.†While the science is promising, many challenges still lie ahead in the race to bring back the mammoth.
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