A newly-published scientific paper has called into question a number of elements surrounding the controversial Atacama 'alien' DNA study. The research, which made headlines earlier this year, saw scientists extract genetic material from the body and subsequently determine that the unusual appearance of the remains was due to an array of odd mutations. Soon after the findings of the study were published, the researchers behind the effort were heavily criticized by the Chilean government for what they argued were ethical issues involving the testing of human remains that had been improperly taken from the country.
Those concerns were echoed and amplified this week with the publication of an analysis of the original research which contends that there were a number of problems with the work. Specifically, the scientists looking at the study say that the researchers erred in their initial interpretation that the body's condition was particularly unique. On the contrary, they posit that the body's odd-looking head and missing ribs appear to be consistent with normal fetal development. And, by failing to recognize this, the paper charges, the researchers proceeded down an "unnecessary and unethical" scientific path.
More on this thought-provoking story at the Coast to Coast AM website.