Magical Realist said:
Primate DNA turns up in Appalachian region
"This scientific expedition may have finally taken one of the world’s greatest mysteries out of the pages of legend and lore and into reality," said Dr. Mayor.
Really, Dr Mayor? How so? You aren't claiming you found Bigfoot. Are you?
Miroslava Munguia Ramos, project manager at the UCLA California Environmental DNA program, has analyzed the eDNA sample from the tree structure. Following are her observations ....
- "But what I found very interesting was that, yes, we have detected human DNA in these areas, but we’re still seeing different primate DNA. There wasn’t just one human primate, there are several different primates, some sort of primate relative that exists in the data."
- "Pan troglodyte is a species of chimpanzee, which you would not see in the areas you’re at. It’s a real head scratcher. It’s important to note that the higher the detection, the more confidence we can say that whatever organism, whatever taxonomy we’re looking at was apparent in the area. And in this case, we’re looking at the Pan genus, or the chimpanzee genus…. there’s 3000 reads."
So what Ramos is saying here is that she identified all sorts of DNA from
known species of apes, such as chimpanzees. But there is no mention of any DNA from
unknown species.
Speaking personally, these results sound incompetent. If Ramos is saying chimpanzees live in the Appalachians and they do not, then clearly Ramos's samples must have been contaminated somehow - either accidentally or deliberately. Maybe contamination controls in her lab are lax or non-existent. Maybe somebody who was motivated to see bizarre results deliberately contaminated things and it's not Ramos's fault.
Either way, there's no news about Bigfoot to be found in this.
Dr. Mayor expanded on this unique discovery.
- "Finding what appears to be a very large structure, seemingly created with intention and requiring great strength as well as foresight, is interesting.
Who knows what this might be about? What structure? Magical Realist hasn't provided any information.
It is not unheard of for primates to stack sticks or rocks, although for me, the jury is still out as to what that was.
So they found some rocks that looked stacked up? Ho hum.
There is no guess work in science.
Interesting thing to say, just after she had explicitly talked about a few of her guesses.
It is great is that eDNA was collected from that site. That may give us the answers we are looking for.
But no answers so far, Miroslava? Nothing conclusive, obviously.
"The process of describing and confirming a new species is difficult. DNA is absolutely essential in the scientific community to prove that something is a new or recognized species.
Yes, and the takeaway here is that Miroslava Ramos discovered zero "new" DNA from any unknown species. So, nothing to see here, folks!
You have eyewitness accounts from tens of thousands of people who say they have encountered Bigfoot, some coming forward with blurry videos and photographs. But that is just not going to cut it. What we need is indisputable genetic evidence to really put this mystery to rest. And there’s no doubt in my mind that we are headed in the right direction."
So, the summary is: Ramos found no "indisputable genetic evidence" of any unknown species in her investigation. Nothing to see here, folks!
But it makes money for the the people who sold the TV show of this fabulous Bigfoot hunting expedition. And it makes for a pleasant enough hour on the couch in front of the TV for viewers who don't want to switch their brains on.
