6.20 – ALIENS & SUPERHEROES (8.22.14)

DNA MANIPULATION ^[21f]

Livingston, New Jersey. May 2001. Scientists at the Institute for Reproductive Medicine made headlines when they revealed they had created the world’s first genetically modified baby. Using a process called cytoplasmic transfer, they implanted mitochondrial DNA from a second mother into an egg to make it easier for it to bond with sperm and form a viable fetus. When scientists performed genetic tests on the babies born out of this process, they detected genetic material from a third parent.

“The reason the cytoplasmic transfer is controversial is because it’s human manipulation of the human germ cell line, in other words the cell line that is passed from parent to offspring. We typically just inherit our genetic material from both of our parents, so there’s a direct line of descent. With the introduction of cytoplasmic transfer, suddenly you have humans manipulating that germ line, that cell line, or DNA line passed on from parent to offspring.” – Kirsten Fisher, Ph.D. (Asst. Prof. of Biology, Cal State, Los Angeles)

If perfected, genetic manipulation could allow scientists to introduce DNA from an unlimited number of people into a fetus. This would allow them to rid babies of genetic disease. But it could also, theoretically, let them tinker with natural traits to create superhumans that are much faster, stronger, and smarter than those that have come before.

“You are altering the genetic future of the human race based on your sort of current preferences, let’s say, for a person’s traits. It’s sort of into perpetuity affecting the genetic line of descent in humans. And so, that’s something very different than had ever been performed before, and that’s certainly controversial.” – Kirsten Fisher, Ph.D. (Asst. Prof. of Biology, Cal State, Los Angeles)

The concept of altering genes whether these genes are in food, animals, or humans has always created a firestorm of protest. In this case, the controversy forced an American moratorium on cytoplasmic transfer. Even so, scientists say the technology may eventually be developed that will allow us to give superpowers including amazing strength, eyesight, and intelligence to our children while they’re still in the womb.

“Today more than ever, we’re capable of playing god. We have incredible superpowers at our fingertips with genetic technology and you have to ask, ‘Are we trying to duplicate what we saw the gods possessing in the ancient world? Are we hardwired or programmed to develop these technologies so that we can equal our makers?’” – William Henry (Author / Investigative Mythologist), (Author, Freedom’s Gate), (The Judgment Day Device), (Lost Secrets of the Watchers), (The Secret of Sion), (Egypt: The Greatest Show on Earth)

Do we yearn to become like the advanced beings that Ancient Astronaut Theorists believe created us thousands of years ago, and might this be why superhero stories continue to fascinate us?

“I think the reason why people like these superhero stories that literally go back thousands of years is because they’re possibly explaining our actual human origins. Every culture around the world talks about an intervention event where beings from the heavens came down and gave us knowledge.” – Jason Martell (Founder, AncientSchool), (Author, Knowledge Apocalypse)

If we really are the product of alien genetic experimentation as Ancient Astronaut Theorists believe, might our own DNA resemble that of otherworldly beings? And if so, are we becoming more and more like our makers, through our own technological breakthroughs and genetic advances?

“In many ways, our society has come full circle where in ancient times we had extraterrestrials here manipulating our DNA, and now we’re the ones who are manipulating our own DNA to also create a more advanced human species.” – David Childress (Author, Technology of the Gods)

“Who knows what’s possible? It’s a brave new world. Everything changes and we have abilities that are so different that it’s as if a quantum shift in human evolution has taken place.” – David Wilcock (Author/Filmmaker), (Author, The Source Field Investigations), (The Synchronicity Key)

Are ancient stories of heroes and gods with mythological powers really based on encounters with extraterrestrials? And might modern-day superheroes be inspired by our desire to reconnect with these powerful beings? Could characters like Batman Spider-Man and Superman be the humans of tomorrow? Perhaps as our technology continues to advance, we are drawing closer to coming face-to-face with our alien ancestors.

Previous: Genetic Mutation

Next: PART SEVEN

References:

^[1a] Prometheus Entertainment. (2014). Ancient Aliens: Season 6, vol 1. [DVD Back Cover]. Los Angeles, CA: A&E Networks, LLC / History™.

^[1b] Prometheus Entertainment. (2014). Ancient Aliens: Season 6, vol. 2. [DVD Back Cover]. Los Angeles, CA: A&E Networks, LLC / History™.

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[21] History™. (2014). Ancient Aliens: 6.20 – Aliens & Superheroes. [Episode Description]. Retrieved: August 22, 2014, from http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/season-6. [21a] Prometheus Entertainment. (2014). Ancient Aliens: 6.20 – Aliens & Superheroes. [DVD Footage: Introduction]. Los Angeles, CA: A&E Networks, LLC / History™. [21b] Prometheus Entertainment. (2014). Ancient Aliens: 6.20 – Aliens & Superheroes. [DVD Footage: Ancient Gods & Heroes]. Los Angeles, CA: A&E Networks, LLC / History™. [21c] Prometheus Entertainment. (2014). Ancient Aliens: 6.20 – Aliens & Superheroes. [DVD Footage: Super Villains]. Los Angeles, CA: A&E Networks, LLC / History™. [21d] Prometheus Entertainment. (2014). Ancient Aliens: 6.20 – Aliens & Superheroes. [DVD Footage: Super Technology]. Los Angeles, CA: A&E Networks, LLC / History™. [21e] Prometheus Entertainment. (2014). Ancient Aliens: 6.20 – Aliens & Superheroes. [DVD Footage: Genetic Mutation]. Los Angeles, CA: A&E Networks, LLC / History™. [21f] Prometheus Entertainment. (2014). Ancient Aliens: 6.20 – Aliens & Superheroes. [DVD Footage: DNA Manipulation]. Los Angeles, CA: A&E Networks, LLC / History™.