In a race to make gene discoveries about the ancient past, scientists have set up an “industrial” process to extract DNA from old human bones unearthed in caves and pulled from museum collections.
Quality control: The work happens in a clean lab with space-suited scientists behind an airlock, so it’s not contaminated by modern DNA, according to a profile in the New York Times of ancient-DNA specialist David Reich of Harvard University.
Losing history: The best-quality ancient DNA is found inside the inner ear. Getting it destroys the bones. Future scientists with better methods may look back with dismay.
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