S01E001 – Bigfoot DNA
Welcome to the very first episode of MonsterTalk, the science show about monsters! This inaugural episode marks the beginning of our journey into the world of cryptozoology from a skeptical perspective.
Hosts: Blake Smith and Dr. Karen Stollznow
Regular Panelist: Ben Radford
Special Guest: Dr. Todd Disotell
The Guest: Dr. Todd Disotell
Our guest for this episode is Dr. Todd Disotell, a Professor of Anthropology at New York University. He holds a PhD from Harvard and a BA from Cornell, specializing in the genetics of primate evolution. Todd is frequently featured on cryptozoology television shows as the expert DNA analyst.
The “Giganto-Bigfoot” Hypothesis 🦍
We discuss the common theory that Bigfoot is a remnant population of Gigantopithecus.
• Size Reality: While folklore suggests a 9-foot giant, Todd notes that even large primates like gorillas are rarely taller than humans when standing.
• Evolutionary Traits: Primate evolution is conservative; features like the number of toes (5) are very stable across vertebrate history.
• Reference:Gigantopithecus – Wikipedia
The Science of DNA 🧪
Dr. Disotell explains the rigorous process of analyzing potential monster samples.
• PCR Analysis: Using Polymerase Chain Reaction, labs can target specific mammal or primate DNA while ignoring bacterial contamination.
• GenBank Database: Samples are compared against the NIH’s international database of all published DNA sequences.
• Digital Precision: DNA is inherently digital (A, C, G, T), allowing computers to compare sequences in milliseconds.
• Reference:Polymerase Chain Reaction – Britannica
The Monster Quest Controversy
We dive into the details of the “Sasquatch Attack” episode and the “screw board” DNA.
• The “Human” Result: While TV editing suggested something mysterious, Todd clarifies that the 1-base difference found is common within the range of modern human genetic variation.
• Inconclusive Samples: On TV, “unknown” often just means “degraded” or “not biological.”
• The Population Paradox: A viable breeding population would require hundreds of individuals, making it nearly impossible for them to remain completely hidden in North America.
• Reference:Bigfoot – Wikipedia
Skepticism and Science 🔍
• The “E-word”: Todd views his TV appearances as a way to discuss evolution with a mass audience.
• Scientific Strength: Science isn’t infallible like religion; its strength lies in its ability to be disproven when better evidence arises.
• Reference:Skepticism – Merriam-Webster
Thanks for listening to the first official MonsterTalk episode!
Read a complete transcript of this episode