What if we bring to life an Egyptian mummy from its DNA? Ancient Egyptians believed firmly in the afterlife, and can we accomplish their belief with modern genetic cloning capabilities using their DNA?
The answer is most likely no. Let me explain. True cloning requires an intact living cell, and it has only been successful using a host animal of the same species. Cloning humans or even mummies would bring ethical questions. We would need in vitro fertilization and a surrogate volunteer. The successful rate of implanted cloned cells would be low and is uncertain how high would be the risk of genetic diseases or cancer in a human clone. It would be impractical and unethical to bring back to life a mummy. Let’s say we try to bring back to life Nefertiti if we would have had her DNA. We could run into the question: How do we know if we ported her memories and emotions if we manage to rebuild her body? Or we can have a Theseus paradox. By creating a clone of Nefertiti how do we know whether the clone is the same as the original? But the question still remains:
Further reading and suggested videos :
Do you like this topic? Find out more!