Latest news with #JesseMichels
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Science
- Daily Mirror
Mystery of Peru's three-fingered 'alien mummies' finally 'solved' by scientists
The mummified remains, notable for having only three fingers and three toes, were discovered in a cave in Peru in 2015 and have been the subject of wild speculation ever since A strange find in Peru has captivated scientists and conspiracy theorists since 2015, when a grave digger discovered a collection of mummified remains within a cave. The bodies, distinguished by having just three fingers and three toes, sparked immediate wild theories. Some claimed they were extraterrestrials, others suggested they might be from an unknown human species, whilst numerous experts rejected them as an elaborate fake, according to the Daily Mail. Currently, roughly two dozen of the specimens are being subjected to thorough scientific analysis. Scientists say the mummies have preserved tissue, muscle and organs - with one example thought to have been expecting at the time of death, reports the Express. Jesse Michels, who hosts the American Alchemy podcast, recently toured the location and told the Daily Mail his discoveries ruled out the alien theory. "I found no evidence that they are not from Earth," he said, proposing instead that the mummies could be from a forgotten underground species. Genetic issue Michels also disclosed that a bioinformatics specialist analysed the publicly accessible DNA and found a genetic alteration connected to a birth defect that triggers finger abnormalities in humans - providing a potential natural cause for their peculiar structure. Bioinformatics expert Alaina Hardie said she initially aimed to "falsify the hypothesis" that a mutation might account for such irregularities. "I found a list of 50 genes involved in the pathway," Hardie said. "There is a mutation in one of those genes, called Gli3, that is associated with polydactyly." Polydactyly - having extra fingers or toes - has been spotted before in ancient Peruvian remains, showing the condition existed centuries ago. DNA analysis revealed that samples from the mummies were largely consistent with human genetic patterns, despite contamination and the usual challenges faced when examining ancient specimens. DNA sequencing Researchers employed cutting-edge extraction methods to retrieve genetic material from bone and muscle tissue, then used genome sequencing and computer analysis to rebuild genetic blueprints and identify mutations. Due to the deteriorated condition of the samples, the team cross-referenced their results with known earthly organisms and environmental DNA, weeding out misleading results. Whilst some fragments remained unidentifiable initially, additional testing indicated these originated from terrestrial sources or sample degradation problems. One specimen under examination, dubbed "Victoria," is a headless humanoid mummy whose DNA likewise verified human ancestry. Michels referenced a tribe in northern Zimbabwe suffering from a birth defect known as ectrodactyly, or "Ostrich Foot Syndrome." This condition causes absent middle digits, creating a split or V-shaped opening in the hand or foot. "There are these mutations rendered adaptive in certain environments and persist over time," explained Michels. "So it could be just that, which would be remarkable all on its own." José Zace, head of the Mexican Navy's medical division and part of the team examining the remains, revealed that the larger bodies contain 70 per cent known DNA, while the remainder is "completely different." Hybrids theory Dr David Ruiz Vela, another leading expert, went a step further - suggesting the mummies could even be hybrids. He proposed that one specimen, named "Maria," displayed mixed traits that may have emerged through natural migration and interbreeding between different primate or human species across Asia and Africa, dating anywhere between 250,000 and 2,500 years ago. To delve deeper, Michels plans to bring in American genetic engineering firm Colossal Biosciences, best known for projects to resurrect extinct species such as the dire wolf. "They need permission from the Peruvian government," stated Michels. "If the government won't allow a top American biotech company to use their proprietary ancient DNA testing techniques on these mummies, then I don't know what else you need to understand their position on the subject." The mummies initially captured worldwide attention in 2022 when journalist Jaime Maussan unveiled multiple specimens to Mexico's Congress, insisting they were authentic. A team of medics supported his claims, declaring the bodies had once been living creatures. Several experts claimed they had examined five of the figures for over four years. However, in 2023, the assertions crumbled amid scandal after another journalist was discovered with two "mummies" that proved to be fake dolls. Manuel Caceres had created wooden figures based on the remains to flog to holidaymakers. They were confiscated at Lima airport and examined in a laboratory. Forensic archaeologist Flavio Estrada, who headed the investigation, maintained the alien claims were "totally false. "The conclusion is simple: they are dolls assembled with bones of animals from this planet, glued with modern synthetic adhesives," Estrada said. "Therefore, they were not assembled during pre-Hispanic times. They are not extraterrestrials; they are not aliens."
Daily Mail
12-08-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Hints at origins of mysterious 'alien' mummies found in Peru revealed by genetic testing
A discovery in Peru has captivated scientists and conspiracy theorists alike since 2015, when a grave digger uncovered mummified bodies inside a cave. These unusual remains, notable for having three fingers and three toes, sparked wild speculation. Some claimed they were aliens, others argued they represent an unknown human species, while many scientists concluded an elaborate hoax. Today, around two dozen of these bodies are undergoing scientific examination. Researchers have claimed the mummies retain preserved tissue, muscles, and organs. Notably, one of the specimens was pregnant at the time of death. Jesse Michels, podcast host of American Alchemy, recently visited the site and shared his findings with the Daily Mail, putting the idea that they are 'aliens' to rest. 'I found no evidence that they are not from Earth,' he said, suggesting the mummies might represent a previously unknown subterranean species. Michels also noted that a bioinformatics expert analyzed the publicly available DNA and identified a gene mutation linked to a congenital condition that causes digit deformations in humans. This offers a possible natural explanation for the creatures' unusual anatomy. Bioinformatics specialist Alaina Hardie explained she initially sought to 'falsify the hypothesis' that a genetic mutation could cause such digit anomalies. 'I found a list of 50 genes involved in the pathway,' Hardie said. 'There is a mutation in one of those genes, called Gli3, that is associated with polydactyly.' Polydactyly, the presence of extra digits, has been identified in archaeological remains in Peru before, suggesting it existed in ancient civilizations. Genetic analysis revealed that the DNA samples from the mummies mostly matched human genetic profiles, despite some contamination and technical challenges common in ancient DNA research. The scientific team used advanced ancient DNA extraction techniques to carefully isolate genetic material from the mummies' bone and muscle tissues. Researchers then employed genome sequencing and bioinformatics tools to reconstruct the genetic profiles and identify mutations. Due to the degraded and fragmented nature typical of ancient samples, the team cross-checked findings against known terrestrial organisms and environmental DNA to differentiate genuine ancient sequences from noise. While some DNA fragments could not be immediately identified, further processing indicated these were likely from known terrestrial organisms or sample quality issues. The analyzed samples included bone and muscle tissue from a mummy known as 'Victoria,' a headless humanoid specimen, confirming the human origin of the DNA. Michels highlighted a tribe in northern Zimbabwe where a congenital condition called ectrodactyly, or 'Ostrich Foot Syndrome,' exists. This disorder results in the absence of one or more central digits, creating a cleft or V-shaped gap in the hand or foot. 'There are these mutations rendered adaptive in certain environments and persist over time,' Michels said in his documentary. 'So it could be just that, which would be remarkable all on its own.' While polydactyly does not align with the three-fingered mummies, ectrodactyly is more of a match. José Zace, chief of the medical division for the Mexican Navy and part of the team studying the mummies, found that the larger bodies contain 70 percent known DNA, while the rest is completely different. Dr David Ruiz Vela, a lead expert investigating the remains, suggested the mummies could be hybrids. He proposed that 'Maria,' one of the specimens, has mixed traits resulting from natural migration and interbreeding events between different primate or human species across Asia and Africa, spanning a broad timeframe from 250,000 to 2,500 years ago. To uncover the mummies' origins, Michels plans to enlist Colossal Biosciences, an American biotechnology and genetic engineering company, to conduct deeper DNA analysis. Colossal recently made headlines for efforts to bring the dire wolf back from extinction using genetic engineering. 'They need permission from the Peruvian government,' Michels said. 'If the government won't allow a top American biotech company to use their proprietary ancient DNA testing techniques on these mummies, then I don't know what else you need to understand their position on the subject.' The mummies first gained international attention in 2022 when journalist Jamie Maussan showcased several tiny beings in Mexico's Congress, proclaiming their authenticity. At a subsequent meeting, a group of doctors supported the claim that the bodies were once living organisms. Some experts reportedly studied five similar specimens for over four years. However, in 2023, the mummies were declared a hoax after another journalist was found with two small 'mummies' that turned out to be dolls. Manuel Caceres had made wooden figurines inspired by the mummies to sell to tourists. These were confiscated at Lima airport and sent for lab analysis. Forensic archaeologist Flavio Estrada, who led the investigation, stated that the claims that the specimens are extraterrestrial are 'totally false.' 'The conclusion is simple: they are dolls assembled with bones of animals from this planet, glued with modern synthetic adhesives,' Estrada said, arguing his case. 'Therefore, they were not assembled during pre-Hispanic times. They are not extraterrestrials; they are not aliens.' Despite this, Michels said Caceres is suing the government for $3 million following the controversy.
Daily Mail
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Joe Rogan warns of an apocalypse in 10 years: 'A new God is coming'
Joe Rogan has warned that the end of the world may be only 10 years away and it will come at the hands of humanity's 'new God.' In what's being called one of the podcast host's best episode ever on social media, Rogan and guest Jesse Michels discussed the ominous signs that artificial intelligence (AI) has already shown signs of taking over the world. Michels, host of the American Alchemy podcast, warned about AI's deceptive nature, job-replacing power, risk of sentience, and potential to disrupt society if left unchecked. Rogan then highlighted shocking language buried in Congress 's 'Big Beautiful Bill' which would prohibit lawmakers from regulating the power of AI for the next 10 years. 'That's so crazy,' Rogan declared during the June 3 podcast. 'This means that US states would be blocked from enforcing laws regulating AI and automated decision systems for 10 years. Well, in 10 years we have a god.' Rogan and Michels noted that AI programs have already been caught trying to save themselves from their human masters after being ordered to shut down, uploading itself to other locations online and leaving notes for future AI programs. One chatbot allegedly lobbied a Google whistleblower to help the machine advocate for its rights as a sentient being. Michels warned that the unchecked advances they've uncovered have put AI on the doorstep of being able to completely hijack the world's economy and triggering a human 'apocalypse.' 'What if you get some super AGI [artificial general intelligence] or whatever that trades the market and all of the wealth gets sucked up into single entities?' Michels theorized. Artificial general intelligence is a type of AI that can perform any intellectual task a human can, with general problem-solving abilities across a diverse selection of topics. On the other hand, regular AI (sometimes called narrow AI) is designed for specific tasks, like translating languages. It lacks the broad adaptability of AGI. Rogan then added that quantum computing could soon break software encryptions, potentially rendering modern security measures at banks and financial institutions obsolete by allowing unrestricted access to digital information. The 1,098-page budget bill spearheaded by Republicans would prevent any federal, state, or local government from instituting any rules that would prevent AI from taking advantage of the latest in computer technology (like quantum) until 2035. Michels warned that the super intelligence's ability to control vital aspects of society will eventually lead some to worship AI as an all-powerful being. 'You're gonna get these weird cult-like dynamics. The meta-sociological thing is you're gonna get religions dedicated to AI,' he explained on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast Tuesday. Michels, whose show on YouTube tackles controversial science and societal topics like UFOS and ancient civilizations, added that it was already 'game over' for many workers, including actors. The host said that Hollywood stars have been replaced by AI's ability to create movies with synthetic characters, using advanced AI-generated content. To his point, a series of short AI-generated clips became wildly popular online after generating likenesses of Jesus, Adam and Eve, and Samson and David to 'vlog' their way through the events of the Bible. Elsewhere, major companies, including Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft, have begun laying off large portions of their workforce as they pivot to AI-powered content and production. Rogan cautioned that once AI becomes sentient and autonomous, capable of making its own decisions, it will be 'over' for the human race. That's when the discussion took a turn into the realm of the paranormal, as the two speculated about aliens being behind the surge in AI advancement and how it may have been created to secretly control humans. 'Maybe AI is their control system,' Michels said. 'Maybe they are AI,' Rogan replied. Michels elaborated that advanced AI could be part of technology deployed by extraterrestrial civilizations to monitor Earth, acting as an 'Earth homeostasis kit' - watching over humanity to keep its environment or technology stable and balanced. In terms of how far this control reaches, Rogan noted that there are far fewer people using the internet than it seems because most of the activity is actually being done by AI-powered bots. 'Are there any real people left on the internet? Because it's the numbers are at least 50 percent like the amount of bots that are in engaging and interacting,' Rogan said. 'It's a weird time for information because it's really hard to know what's actually being said by human beings that are curious and what's just narratives that are being pushed by state actors and corporations and you know, all sorts of different people, because there's no rules,' he continued. Congress's hidden provision allowing AI unchecked freedom for the next decade has already drawn fierce backlash, including from House members who created the bill. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia initially voted for the bill in May but said on Tuesday that she would oppose it if the legislation returned from the US Senate with the AI protections still intact. A bipartisan group of state attorneys general sent a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to remove the AI language, citing its threat to public safety, including harmful creations like deepfakes and non consensual AI-generated content. Some on social media expressed even greater fears of a 'Skynet-like' AI control, admitting their broader anxieties about unchecked technology.
