Return of the Neanderthals
for National Geographic News
Published March 6, 2013
For now, the Neanderthal genome is an abstract string of billions of DNA letters stored in computer databases. But it naturally sparks the imagination: Could scientists use that genetic blueprint to create neo-Neanderthals in the flesh?
In the not-so-distant future, advances in genetic engineering might enable that feat, experts say. But whether such a resurrection should happen is another story.
Since the 1996 birth of Dolly the sheep, the world's first cloned mammal, scientists have greatly expanded and improved on cloning techniques. They have cloned dogs, cats, rats, pigs, and cows, among other species. In 2003, researchers in Spain were the first to bring back an extinct species—the Pyrenean ibex, a wild mountain goat also called a bucardo—though the clone only lived for a few minutes.
All of these examples relied on a technique called nuclear transfer. Starting with an intact cell (fresh or frozen) of the animal they'd like to clone, scientists first remove the nucleus, where DNA resides, and insert it into a hollowed-out egg cell of the same or a related species. This hybrid egg is then implanted into the uterus of a female surrogate for gestation, and voilà: The surrogate gives birth to a clone.
more here
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I read that there is much more of the Neanderthal in our own genome than previously even imagined. That there must have been successful breeding between Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens. The more we learn, the less we know. 
That might have caused some embarrassing morning revelations, so to speak. 
Or worse:
the article said they estimate about 17% of our genome is Neanderthal, not an insignificant number. The previous assumption was there was no interbreeding, now they know otherwise.
I'd prefer the information. I appreciate your reply.
i like that we're continuously learning and rethinking our views
Slightly off topic, but since the humorously intended comments about Bonobos were posted - Bonobos Join Chimps as Closest Human Relatives
More at the link. The original publication in Nature is here. You can also download a copy of the supplementary information for the research.
PS: Be careful when spellchecking posts that discuss bonobos - the checker wants to substitute bonbons.
thanks!
We have enough Teabaggers as it is!!!!!!