The article to be reviewed is called, “What Ancient’ Chewing Gum’ Can Tell Us about Life 5,700 Years Ago.” It was written by Merrit Kennedy and published on the NPR website on the 17th December 2019. The article talks about how birch that was chewed 5,700 years ago was used to determine the human genome of the person who chewed the material during that period. The results from the DNA found on that chewed pitch indicated that the user was a female who was probably belonged to the hunter and gathers clan. Similarly, from the DNA, the researcher was able to determine the individual characteristics. Her skin was dark with hair that was dark brown, and she gas blue eyes. Finally, the DNA revealed some additional data such as the female’s last meal and some microbial DNA that indicates the culprit’s oral microbiome. The birch pitch was able to preserve the DNA exceptionally well and hence enabling the researchers to get a complete ancient human genome.
Relevance
A DNA in plants and animal acts as a central information storage system. It contains genes that are the available DNA that causes the observable traits in both plants and animals. The traits come from the RNA that has been created from the DNA. Similarly, the RNAs are made of proteins which are responsible for various observables traits like eye, skin and hair colour or heights. This is what made it possible for the researchers to be able to predict the person who chewed the birch was a female who had blue eyes, dark skin and dark brown hair. These traits were identified using the RNA.
Ancient DNA can be used to provide necessary information about the characteristics of the pre-historic populations. DNA stores its information as codes. The codes are made of four main chemical bases that include adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). Human DNA can have more than over 3 million chemical bases. In most cases, people have similar bases of up to 99%. Thus, the bases in the genome sequence were able to help the researchers predict that the female who chewed the birch pitch came from the hunters and gathers community. Similarly, it is the related bases that were used to distinguish her from the agricultural community.
Critical Eye
Firstly I think the title is misleading. After reading the title, the reader would expect detailed information about ancient life. However, the author only mentions a few details. The description of the person who chewed is quite limited, with only three characteristics. Similarly, apart from the community in that area being hunters and gatherers, there is not any more information about their life.
Secondly, the results are not conclusive. I can barely say that the information provided is results. However, she only provides a link to the complete results. Thus the reader can only get a glimpse of teh complete data if they click on the link.
Thirdly, the evidence might be biased. The evidence might be biased. I think the author should have described the results that led the researcher’s conclusion of the culprit being female and what determined the mentioned characteristics.
However, the article does not indicate any conflict of interest as it has the views of different scientists and what each researcher’s opinion on the study.
Personal insights
The topic addressed in the topic is an advancement in DNA sequencing. It is unreliable on the amount of information that can be retrieved in a piece of chewing gum. Similarly, DNA has become an essential aspect of our lives, and I think this is an opportunity to research and understand the different bacteria and viruses that affect the human population in the ancient world. Considering the birch produces a complete more genome that other human remains apart from bones, it can be a starting point to investigating various dental diseases and conditions and finding the best medicine to treat. Similarly, just as DNA is used to determine inherited diseases, it can be modified to avoid dental problems.
Future Impacts on Society.
The ancient gum that was discovered provides scientists and future generations with scientific potentials. It is an indication that more samples can be found that would provide more information about the lifestyle of the ancient world. Similarly, this ancient chewing gum can be used to analyze the DNA of ancient microbiome. Such data can help in explaining the differences between the current bacteria and viruses with the ancient ones. Understanding the evolution of pathogen can help scientists in determining the environment that encourages pathogen growth and distribution. Thus, the information can be used to predict the pathogens’ behaviour and ways to eliminate or contain the pathogens.
Similarly, the ancient chewing gum can be used as a substitute for skeletons as it provides a complete human genome. Hence, it the number of preserved bones reduces, then scientists can still carry out their research using the birch pitch.