New Zealand scientist calls for study of "useless" American skeleton

A New Zealand scientist joined the critique of an American analysis of human remains that became famous for their extraterrestrial appearance.

A skeleton, nicknamed Ata, was discovered more than ten years ago in an abandoned town in the region. The Atacama Desert in Chile, and began to make headlines after finding a permanent home in Spain

This was due to its angular, elongated skull and its shattered and slanting orbits – something that was the only thing that had happened. The Internet suggested could be from another world. Misguided plot theorists went so far as to say that Ata was evidence of a UFO concealment.

In fact, analysis of the six-inch specimen pointed to the tragedy of a mother in the recent past.

and researchers at the University of California discovered that Ata's remains were no more than 40 years old and had probably been a fetus that had undergone severe genetic mutations.

With a six-year bone composition, the woman was e, the bone aging disorder.

Shortly after their work was shared in the journal Genome Research in March, it was heavily criticized by Chilean scientists

One told New York Times ] The study was "offensive to the girl, for her family and for the Chilean heritage".

The Chilean government began investigating whether the remains had been illegally exhumed and smuggled out of the country

The researchers told the newspaper that they had no knowledge of how the skeleton had been originally obtained, and checked the permission because it had been assumed that the subject was a non-human primate.

A new study published today, led by bioarchaeologist. Associate Professor Sian Halcrow asked why the work had been undertaken.

"Unfortunately, there was no scientific reason to undertake genomic analyzes of Ata because the skeleton is normal, the identified genetic mutations are possible The situation has highlighted the Need for an interdisciplinary research approach for a case study, such as coincidence, and no genetic mutations is known to be strongly associated with skeletal pathology that would affect the skeleton at this young age. Ata.

"This case study allows us to show how bringing together several experts in osteology, medicine, archeology, history and genetics is essential for early scientific interpretations. and to consider the ethical implications of genomic analysis, "she said. 19659002] "A nuanced understanding of skeletal biological processes and cultural context is essential for accurate scientific interpretation and for control over the ethics and legality of this research."

Bernardo Arriaza, author and bioarchaeologist of the University of Tarapaca, said that it was crucial to consider archaeological content in addition to an interdisciplinary approach.

It was also important to remember that the situation was a pregnancy loss probably from the very recent past.

"This mummy reflects a sad loss Arriaza said:" The research team led by Otago also highlighted the concerns raised by archaeological excavations in the Atacama desert. " keeps DNA researchers on the need to get involved in cases that lack context and legality, or where remnants have resided in private cases.

"In the case of Ata, expensive and time-consuming scientific tests using whole genome techniques were useless.

Halcrow was also disappointed that she and her co-author, Kristina Killgrove, of the University of North Carolina at the Anthropology Department of Chapel Hill, were unable to submit an answer to the question. Article and the research in question at Genome Research

"We were both told that Genome Research does not publish letters to the publisher, only original research papers, despite [the researchers’] subsequent response statement in which they seek to justify the ethics of their analyzes, "said Halcrow. It is essential to have an open process to move this debate forward in peer-reviewed journals. "