Hmm this makes me feel uneasy - why did they do it? Apart from the "hey cool! We sequenced Mendel's DNA!" what was the actual point? Sure now you know his genetics predisposed him to diabetes... Was that worth exhuming his body for?
What will they do at 250 years? Dig him up again for selfies?
Would you say the same thing about someone who spent a couple years writing a biography of Mendel? Digging through his letters, possessions, life history?
This gives background on his epilepsy and health conditions. It's interesting. It's respectful. Scientists can have fun sometimes; it's OK.
> We sequenced Mendel's DNA!" what was the actual point?
The article addresses that. Indeed, before I read the article, I too was tempted to write an angry dismissal. However, their approach and reasoning were very respectful. It was less about curiosity than honoring the fellow for his contribution to human knowledge. If they managed to enlist the support of the Augustinians themselves, I'm certain that we can entirely relax.
I read the article and I didn't see any discussion of what the goal or purpose of this research was, scientific or otherwise. It really read like they did it solely because "it would be cool" and they thought he would have been okay with that.
I don't think exhuming someone's dead body after several hundred years is really "honoring" them. I just don't see what the objective here was (regardless of approvals) apart from "wouldn't it be cool if..." type attitude. What does the world gain here apart from a bit better understanding that a historical figure was genetically predisposed to diabetes etc (which FWIU has no really relevance to his research)
I just don't see the value in desecration of 5 people's graves just to sequence Mendel's DNA for no obvious reason apart from just for shits and giggles. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
Agree. As a geneticist I have to say this is both scientifically vapid and ethically wrong. Mendel did not consent to this. Just like Henrietta Lacks did not know or consent to her tumor being used for research (which includes sequencing). Given how much bad publicity the biomedical research without consent has attracted this PR stunt is baffling and plain stupid. Poor Mendel.
He was the father of modern genetics. Isn't it possible that this is a way to celebrate his accomplishments? By understanding the man using the very tools he provided the foundational discoveries for?
Agreed! There should be a better way to give tribute. Maybe a way to encourage more people to design and conduct experiments diligently, encourage curiosity among young children. So many other ways to honor the scientific mind without exhuming the body.
This was actually pretty amazing, as is the quote from the scientist at the university in Brno:
"We believe that he would be happy. We know he was very enthusiastic for all kinds of research," she says – noting that just before he died, Mendel requested that an extensive autopsy be done.
"He wasn't against research on his own body," she says.
I don’t see the big deal, when you’re dead you’re dead. Being in a coffin must be so boring I could imagine some dead people would love visitors every now and then. Perhaps it’s comforting knowing you will still interact with people 200 years from now.
Legally, sure. Morally? Up to your moral code I guess, feels squishy to me, but they convinced monks to allow this, so I guess it's fine.
Big push towards cremation, IMHO. Can't mess with my remains if they're already burnt. But burying me in a wetlands and planting an endangered plant in my remains could work, although floodwaters have a way of working bodies loose.
A pragmatic paleontologist touring an almost complete theme park on an island in Central America is tasked with protecting a couple of kids after a power failure causes the park's cloned geneticist to run loose.
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[ 3.9 ms ] story [ 61.3 ms ] threadWhat will they do at 250 years? Dig him up again for selfies?
> "He wasn't against research on his own body," she says.
This isn't (that kind of) research, though. It's just morbid curiosity.
This gives background on his epilepsy and health conditions. It's interesting. It's respectful. Scientists can have fun sometimes; it's OK.
The article addresses that. Indeed, before I read the article, I too was tempted to write an angry dismissal. However, their approach and reasoning were very respectful. It was less about curiosity than honoring the fellow for his contribution to human knowledge. If they managed to enlist the support of the Augustinians themselves, I'm certain that we can entirely relax.
I just don't see the value in desecration of 5 people's graves just to sequence Mendel's DNA for no obvious reason apart from just for shits and giggles. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
in reality it doesn’t matter and this outrage is irrational sentimentality
when I die, you can throw my bones to the wild, but make sure to give me a stick to fight off the dogs
"We believe that he would be happy. We know he was very enthusiastic for all kinds of research," she says – noting that just before he died, Mendel requested that an extensive autopsy be done.
"He wasn't against research on his own body," she says.
“Local religious leaders consulted with Augustinians in Prague, their bishop, and finally Augustinians in Rome. Eventually, permission was granted.”
Big push towards cremation, IMHO. Can't mess with my remains if they're already burnt. But burying me in a wetlands and planting an endangered plant in my remains could work, although floodwaters have a way of working bodies loose.
And to make those intentions clear, tattoo "Burn After Reading" somewhere for a coroner to easily spot. :)
A pragmatic paleontologist touring an almost complete theme park on an island in Central America is tasked with protecting a couple of kids after a power failure causes the park's cloned geneticist to run loose.
Geriatric Park was even nominated for an Oscar!