While I admit it is an unlikely development (I’m in the great ape/monkey camp myself). IF they can rule out human contamination and there are still multiple unknown primate DNA that shares H sapien DNA then we need to follow up on that.

Granted that is a basket full of ‘ifs’ but a good scientist and any open minded skeptic will follow the evidence to see where it leads. Discounting something because it seems unlikely or goes against our preconceived notions is pointless. (As is accepting any and all statements as facts without evidence to back it up) A person might as well join with the ultra skeptics and ultra believers who have no room for any view points but their own if you start dismissing evidence without at least evaluating it first.

That conference diogenes pointed out is happening this Spring, so it seems one way or the other we’ll have some sort of answers by then. What’s another few months of waiting at this point? Even if it is frustrating on some level it is still interesting to see how many different stories are being leaked here and there. You literally need a score card to keep track at this point. At least on Cryptomundo the stories are in the ‘fairly believable’ range of reporting. That Lindsay (sp?) guy is really out there with a few of his posts (to the point I don’t even read his stuff anymore) and the ruckus in the Bigfoot community is starting to resemble a verbal on-line WWE. I understand why the mods here are so tight with their posts; cause some of the comments on the other sites are brawl inspiring and not in a good way.

type in that species into Google and you should see some of the stuff that pops up. hirsutii

This will be amazing if they can actually prove it, but I have a feeling there will be years of scientific debate before this is actually settled. I’d have to guess (without the availability of a physical specimen) at least a decade. I can’t wait to see the genome typing, I wonder if we’re cousins or step-siblings.

(Sasquatch – – Homo sapiens hirsutii)

One thing that could not be clearer from the evidence: whatever the sasquatch is, it isn’t going to be considered a subspecies of ours.

(hirsutii????)

Or there is another hairy hominoid – OK, hominin, I guess! – roaming this continent that, um, no one has yet seen.

All the evidence contrasts so significantly from our own definitions of what we are that the name alone is a way serious scientific misstep, that implies (to me, now) that others have been made.

it seems to be the webload page date as Nov 11, 2011?
I can’t figure it out and don’t have my glasses, BUT I have my answer

and we are notice…they ARE US!

whoever wins the ulitimate taxonomic designation battle, or if there is more than “one species” of our beloved BIGFOOT, this is a BIG start… I hope

gee..MAY 2012 is a long time to wait…
so I must assume the paper due soon!

Wonderful!

So, even if we aren’t on the invite list the “news” shalll be ours to relish!

NOTE TAXONOMIC DESIGNATION

here you go:
Pacific Northwest Conference on Primal People

November 10, 2011 by twangg

Pacific Northwest Conference
On
Primal People

(Sasquatch – – Homo sapiens hirsutii)

May 4th 5th and 6th, 2012

At
Shiloh Inn,
50 Comstock St

Richland, Washington

Fees:
Conference Only: $40 per person
Saturday Banquet Only: $35 per person
Entire Weekend: $70 per person

Schedule of Events:

Friday May 4th

9:00 am to 4:00 pm Field Trip to Mtns

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Meet and Greet

Saturday May 5th

8:30 am to 12:00 am Morning Session

12:00 am to 1:30 pm Lunch

1:30 pm to 4:30 pm Afternoon Session

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Banquet and Speakers

9:00 pm to …. Karaoke ‘n Social

Sunday May 6th

8:30 am to 1:00 pm Sunday Session

1:00 pm Dismissal:

Again as is often the case DWA makes a good point:

“Scientists don’t do this. They don’t talk about “having the proof” until they show you the proof. And they sure don’t talk about “overkill.”

Technically speaking—IMO; since there is no type specimen there is very little to be gained by DNA studies. As already pointed to; contamination will always be a bugaboo no matter what lab does the sequencing. With an actual discernible physical sample (an arm, hand even a tooth), again a physical sample of new morphology would make things simpler by far; but here we have indistinguishable samples of who knows what being sequenced and showing a human genome. (Perhaps I missed some viable DNA sample from paleolithic man being found?) We must remember that these base pairs represent only the possibilities available for a particular polymorphism and fail to identify anything by themselves.

The way I see it, and based on what has been said so far; the most we can hope for is that the sample contains human chromosomes and chromosomes from “something else”. Just as we have footprints of something else, unknown, the footprints fail to shed much light on the creature that made them. DNA is but a genetic footprint.

I am no geneticist by any means or description but I fail to see what all the roaring is about.

I’ve mentioned before my skepticism on this matter, I still sand on it. Its too much of a drama-train wreck, and horridly unprofessional.

But, I will also note, the dinosaur wars with Cope and Marsh ran the same way, they battled it out in news papers and professional journals, lying about each others finds (dissing each other credentials), and jockeying for credit the same way as Melba and Justin Smeja are battling it out. Drama has happened in the past, and it is not uncommon between two scientists pioneering in a new field of study.

In fairness, Melba’s announcing she has something worth the wait is likely because the general enthusiasm of the Bigfoot community. She is likely sympathetic to all those giving her support and feels she needs to say something to make them feel good about supporting her. She could be doing this to string them along of course, or it could be genuine.

I can’t say either, I don’t know her. But both sides need to be considered.

We have been hammered by many hoaxes of late, so I think many of us are wary. I am, to be frank, in the bring me the body camp, and I won’t put my eggs in any DNA basket unless they repeat the tests in another lab, than if that comes in as “repeatable” I’ll be a supporter of the evidence. DNA combined with the scat, tracks, and eyewitness sightings, as well as the nests and such is a nail in the coffin to me.

In the end, I do hope for the folks who really believe in this, she presents something solid and soon because people have bee waiting a very long time.

How is it Dr Ketchum’s duty to verify the truthfulness of the poaching story? If the sample was fully human THEN I can see her needed to contact authorities if she suspects foul play and allow law enforcement to investigate as they see fit. However if the sample is non-human how is she to verify how/when it was obtained other than accept the word of the person offering the sample?

She may or may not have been told the same story (any of the oft changing stories) as we have. I assume the people submitting samples need to sigh an affidavit or something of a similar nature stating when, where and how they obtained the sample, but I doubt Dr. Ketchum has the ability or manpower to follow up on these statements herself and simply takes the person at their word. Not to mention, with all the press and circulation regarding the poaching incident wouldn’t it seem odd that no member of law enforcement has heard about it. In fact, I believe one of the newspaper based articles specifically went to the trouble of discussing the matter with either law enforcement or Park and Wildlife Service officials.

In this context I’m not honestly sure how Dr. Ketchum could say with any authority what is and is not true about the situation. All she could reasonably do is verify whether or not she’s received a sample from the person in question and perhaps what that sample consisted of (bit of flesh and fur, steak, bone, tooth, etc) but even that may not be permissible if a non-disclosure contract is in effect.

It is a troubling situation actually, especially given the long history of so many failed attempts for “disclosure.”

However, following the “why it doesn’t seem logical” I offer another thought;

Justin Smeja is still being very public, making many, many statements – if we are to believe reports of interviews with various internet bloggers (again if not true – just say so…spare us the pain of even considering the possibility of giving him exposure).

Best case Ketchum contacted authorities immediately (regardless of law..something was sent to her..if bear, then again just say so) and has been forbidden by Counsel to speak publicly (likely) then it appears Mr. Smeja remains unrepresented by any legal counsel?

Surely as “shooter” any lawyer would also be counseling Justin not to talk. And of course any book publisher would also want control of his Public Image image (even if the lawyer thought the defense was a slam dunk, or prosecutors contacted so far said so….no telling what public interest groups may think later, after publcation) .

It is is still terribly indiscreet for Smeja to be public in such a fashion. But, then again a lawyer cannot make Justin shut up. Perhaps he is who he says he is an unrepentant?

A Very Sad situation then! And, I don’t mind having a thoughtful opinion, again given the difficult history of BF hoaxes and promises, betrays and BS I see others with knowledge refer to in posts.

Thanks again for this sounding board.

What if it is true (Sierra Kill) and Ketchum is in the odd position of having contacted authorities when she received the sample, but has been forbidden to discuss it?

That scenario doesn’t quite follow thru logically, but it is possible.
Not logically of the already very public statements by Ketchum. She could have inserted in her “renowned team” a phrase along these lines:
” a team of renowned scientists and Government specialists” or such

which of course would be accepted within an already believing BF community and a clear message she has notified authorities…(and of course the public never believes anything..so it remains another vague implied thing to the world?)

of course if Justin’s story is untrue, she could have simply said so a very long time ago.