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Scientists dug up Gregor Mendel and analyzed his DNA

npr.org

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Re: Scientists dug up Gregor Mendel and analyzed his DNA

#21

Post by bratbag »

aliqot wrote: post #20
rendall wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> We sequenced Mendel's DNA!" what was the actual point? The article addresses that. Indeed, before I read the article, I too was tempted to write an angry dismissal. However, their approach and reasoning were very respectful. It was less about curiosity than honoring the fellow for his contribution to human knowledge. If they managed to enlist the support of the Augustinians themselves, I'm certain that we can entir…

Jeez you got really hung up over someone having the audacity to hit the comments with a reply before reading.

Good. More people should.

Re: Scientists dug up Gregor Mendel and analyzed his DNA

#22

Post by bpodgursky »

tgv wrote: post #5
mattlondon wrote: post #2

Hmm this makes me feel uneasy - why did they do it? Apart from the "hey cool! We sequenced Mendel's DNA!" what was the actual point? Sure now you know his genetics predisposed him to diabetes... Was that worth exhuming his body for? What will they do at 250 years? Dig him up again for selfies?

Indeed. They justify themselves like this: > "He wasn't against research on his own body," she says. This isn't (that kind of) research, though. It's just morbid curiosity.

Would you say the same thing about someone who spent a couple years writing a biography of Mendel? Digging through his letters, possessions, life history?

This gives background on his epilepsy and health conditions. It's interesting. It's respectful. Scientists can have fun sometimes; it's OK.

Re: Scientists dug up Gregor Mendel and analyzed his DNA

#23

Post by blurbleblurble »

IncRnd wrote: post #14

2023 Movie: Genetics Park A pragmatic paleontologist touring an almost complete theme park on an island in Central America is tasked with protecting a couple of kids after a power failure causes the park's cloned geneticist to run loose.

Somebody needs to get you a ticket to LA so we can get your screenplay produced

Re: Scientists dug up Gregor Mendel and analyzed his DNA

#24

Post by tsavo »

causality0 wrote: post #8

Just FYI to potential future researches: if you go through my stuff and dig up my corpse it better not be because "we thought it'd be cool".

If there's a concern of exhumation, you could always go the cremation route.

And to make those intentions clear, tattoo "Burn After Reading" somewhere for a coroner to easily spot. :)

Re: Scientists dug up Gregor Mendel and analyzed his DNA

#25

Post by pavon »

rendall wrote: post #6
mattlondon wrote: post #2

Hmm this makes me feel uneasy - why did they do it? Apart from the "hey cool! We sequenced Mendel's DNA!" what was the actual point? Sure now you know his genetics predisposed him to diabetes... Was that worth exhuming his body for? What will they do at 250 years? Dig him up again for selfies?

> We sequenced Mendel's DNA!" what was the actual point? The article addresses that. Indeed, before I read the article, I too was tempted to write an angry dismissal. However, their approach and reasoning were very respectful. It was less about curiosity than honoring the fellow for his contribution to human knowledge. If they managed to enlist the support of the Augustinians themselves, I'm certain that we can entir…

I read the article and I didn't see any discussion of what the goal or purpose of this research was, scientific or otherwise. It really read like they did it solely because "it would be cool" and they thought he would have been okay with that.

Re: Scientists dug up Gregor Mendel and analyzed his DNA

#26

Post by tremon »

IncRnd wrote: post #14

2023 Movie: Genetics Park A pragmatic paleontologist touring an almost complete theme park on an island in Central America is tasked with protecting a couple of kids after a power failure causes the park's cloned geneticist to run loose.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ll7YzrGbM4

Geriatric Park was even nominated for an Oscar!

Re: Scientists dug up Gregor Mendel and analyzed his DNA

#27

Post by mattlondon »

aliqot wrote: post #20
rendall wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> We sequenced Mendel's DNA!" what was the actual point? The article addresses that. Indeed, before I read the article, I too was tempted to write an angry dismissal. However, their approach and reasoning were very respectful. It was less about curiosity than honoring the fellow for his contribution to human knowledge. If they managed to enlist the support of the Augustinians themselves, I'm certain that we can entir…

Jeez you got really hung up over someone having the audacity to hit the comments with a reply before reading.

Fwiw I read before commenting.

Re: Scientists dug up Gregor Mendel and analyzed his DNA

#28

Post by mattlondon »

rendall wrote: post #6
mattlondon wrote: post #2

Hmm this makes me feel uneasy - why did they do it? Apart from the "hey cool! We sequenced Mendel's DNA!" what was the actual point? Sure now you know his genetics predisposed him to diabetes... Was that worth exhuming his body for? What will they do at 250 years? Dig him up again for selfies?

> We sequenced Mendel's DNA!" what was the actual point? The article addresses that. Indeed, before I read the article, I too was tempted to write an angry dismissal. However, their approach and reasoning were very respectful. It was less about curiosity than honoring the fellow for his contribution to human knowledge. If they managed to enlist the support of the Augustinians themselves, I'm certain that we can entir…

I don't think exhuming someone's dead body after several hundred years is really "honoring" them. I just don't see what the objective here was (regardless of approvals) apart from "wouldn't it be cool if..." type attitude. What does the world gain here apart from a bit better understanding that a historical figure was genetically predisposed to diabetes etc (which FWIU has no really relevance to his research)

I just don't see the value in desecration of 5 people's graves just to sequence Mendel's DNA for no obvious reason apart from just for shits and giggles. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Re: Scientists dug up Gregor Mendel and analyzed his DNA

#29

Post by toast0 »

sophacles wrote: post #10
causality0 wrote: post #8

Just FYI to potential future researches: if you go through my stuff and dig up my corpse it better not be because "we thought it'd be cool".

It's not your corpse. It's a corpse, you've left it.

Legally, sure. Morally? Up to your moral code I guess, feels squishy to me, but they convinced monks to allow this, so I guess it's fine.

Big push towards cremation, IMHO. Can't mess with my remains if they're already burnt. But burying me in a wetlands and planting an endangered plant in my remains could work, although floodwaters have a way of working bodies loose.

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