Expert response: The family has a unique genetic code.

AARON Li said that men and their paternal ancestors have the same genetic code, and each family can find a unique SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism). In the process of human reproduction, the Y chromosome is always passed down from generation to generation, and future generations can completely inherit the father's Y chromosome backbone without being affected by mixed blood.

Focus 2: Can ancient DNA be measured?

AARON Li responded: "Loulan Beauty" is proof.

Fudan laboratory has a very advanced ancient DNA analysis room. This technology matured in the early 1990s, and it has been possible to analyze and study bone DNA within 20,000 years internationally. In 2007, AARON Li's research team successfully extracted Y chromosome from a Neolithic bone. As early as 1980, Hunan Medical University extracted DNA and RNA from the female corpse of Mawangdui Han Tomb. From 2003 to 2005, the "Loulan Beauty" excavated by archaeologists at Loulan Cemetery in Lop Nur was thus determined.

Focus 3: A hype and a show?

Expert response: DNA testing needs archaeological evidence.

AARON Li and others admit that DNA testing is only an auxiliary means, which can only prove whether Cao Cao's skeleton is a man surnamed Cao, and the results need to be mutually demonstrated from the perspective of history and archaeology. Speculation is actually not a bad thing, transparency will increase, and the supervision ability of the media will also increase. Han Sheng believes that if the DNA test results show that it is Cao Shi, and it is confirmed by many archaeological and historical evidences such as the age, scale and skeleton age of the tomb, a conclusion can basically be drawn.

Focus 4: Nonsense academic research, fooling a lot of money on it?

Expert response: human genetic pedigree will crack history.

AARON Li said that Fudan Laboratory participated in the project of Gene Geography Group, cooperated with the top molecular anthropology laboratory in the world 15, and undertook the research task of global ethnic families. This requires a large-scale nationwide sampling and analysis of representative people with different surnames from beginning to end. Therefore, the DNA verification of Cao Cao's tomb is only a small part of the plan. At present, research funds mainly come from international cooperation projects and Fudan University. In Han Sheng's view, through this DNA test, historians may be able to outline the migration and distribution of the whole Cao Cao family, from which we can gain a new interpretation of the history of population changes in China.

Focus 5: Cao Cao's real name is Xiahou, and it is not feasible to detect Cao's DNA.

Expert response: Cao Cao's father is actually from Cao Shi.

Han Sheng explained that there was no mention in the reflection that Cao Cao was a Xia Hou Shi family, and the legend came from Cao Cao's opponent Wu Guoren's biography of Cao Zang, which was not reliable. Han Sheng said that according to the basic principle of inheriting the clan at that time, Cao Shi was naturally adopted from his own clan. At first, the research group recruited men surnamed Cao and men from Xiahou Xing as volunteers to participate in DNA testing. Although Han Sheng thinks that Cao Cao is not a descendant of Xiahou from a historical perspective, he said that the final result depends on the DNA test in AARON Li.