As some may already know, a monumental milestone in cryptozoological research has been realised. Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, has been brought into the light of day. In a press release dated November 24, 2012, DNA Diagnostics Inc has revealed that a five-year long genome project, led by Dr. Melba S. Ketchum of Nacogdoches, TX has confirmed the existence of Bigfoot.
“Dr. Ketchum can confirm that her team has sequenced 3 complete Sasquatch nuclear genomes and determined the species is a human hybrid:
“Our study has sequenced 20 whole mitochondrial genomes and utilized next generation sequencing to obtain 3 whole nuclear genomes from purported Sasquatch samples. The genome sequencing shows that Sasquatch mtDNA is identical to modern Homo sapiens, but Sasquatch nuDNA is a novel, unknown hominin related to Homo sapiens and other primate species. Our data indicate that the North American Sasquatch is a hybrid species, the result of males of an unknown hominin species crossing with female Homo sapiens…””
So what does this mean? Quite simply, it means that Dr. Ketchum has potentially discovered genetic evidence that supports the existence of Sasquatch. Even though we’ve still yet to get a good glimpse of the big fella, if true, this revelation does much to legitimize cryptid research. As noted above, the findings suggest that Sasquatch’s maternal lineage is human, which begs the question, when did they diverge from our evolutionary path?
The details of Ketchum’s study are set to be published in the near future, and it’s likely to spark a frenzied discussion about exactly what these findings mean. However, sceptics are already decrying the discovery, citing Ketchum’s methodologies and past behaviour as reason to deny her findings. It should be noted that, in general, scientific findings such as these are not announced in this fashion. Typically the results of such research would be published for peer review and confirmation before being brought into a more public forum, but this fact alone does not negate the potential of her discovery.
In light of her results, Ketchum, for one, is already calling for legal action to protect Bigfoot.
“Genetically, the Sasquatch are a human hybrid with unambiguously modern human maternal ancestry. Government at all levels must recognize them as an indigenous people and immediately protect their human and Constitutional rights against those who would see in their physical and cultural differences a ‘license’ to hunt, trap, or kill them.”
Whatever these findings mean in the long run, it’s encouraging to see that mainstream science is beginning to take paranormal topics seriously.
For more information, see the preliminary press release here: http://www.dnadiagnostics.com/press.html
UPDATE:
As many already know, this story has developed into an internet fiasco. Read more about the Ketchum drama here: Bigfoot; The Ketchum Story