Three weeks ago, a Texas-based geneticist created a media spectacle by claiming to have sequenced the DNA of the mythical Bigfoot, in what is most certainly either an act of purposeful deception or unintentional stupidity, with a small sprinkle of a possibility of the claim being the truth.
On November 24th, a press release was published on the DNA Diagnostics website titled “‘Bigfoot’ DNA sequenced in upcoming genetics study.” In it, Dr. Melba S. Ketchum explained that in a study that would soon be released, she would prove that male, non-human primates mated with early human females to create a line of Bigfoots, which her study genetically identifies as an “unknown hominid hybrid species in North America.”
Ketchum, who graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M in 1978 and has been the director of DNA Diagnostics for the past 15 years, analyzed 109 DNA samples submitted by individuals throughout North America over the course of five years. Out of these samples, Ketchum said, DNA Diagnostics outsourced three of “the best samples that had the most DNA” to forensic labs (which she wouldn’t name) that she claims were able to complete whole genome sequences.
Because they like them? ;-) To read more, click here.