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Revision as of 18:18, 28 May 2005 by 24.141.214.87 (talk) (added info on racial aspect)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Chuman (also known as the Humanzee) is a hypothetical chimpanzee/human hybrid. Chimpanzees and humans are very closely related (most agree that they share 98.4% of their DNA in common), leading to contested speculation that a hybrid is possible.
There has been no scientifically verified specimen, although one, a performing chimp named Oliver, was popularized during the 1970s as a possible Chuman. Genetic tests conducted at the University of Chicago concluded that, despite Oliver's somewhat unusual appearance and behaviour, he was a normal chimpanzee. The "hybrid" claims were possibly a promotional gimmick.
However, there have been rumors of chumen reportedly "for centuries". One rumor states that there was a common chimpanzee impregnated by human sperm in a laboratory in China. The story goes on to say that people in the area caught word of what was going on in the lab and rioted in disgust. All the scientists were evidently killed. The rioters let the innocent chimp live but did not bother to unlock her cage. She was found dead from starvation.
Another popular rumor in circulation is that a human woman was impregnated (either through bestiality or rape, depending on the story) but that she aborted the "abomination" soon after she found out she was pregnant. These rumors are, to date, unsupported, and are likely best classified as legends.
It has also been observed that if a Chuman can exist, and if it can bear young, then that proves that humans and chimpanzees are the same species. This would likely lead to a taxonomic reclassification of all apes and the creation of major taxons below the level of species.
The colloquial classification of this elusive hybrid (Chuman / Humanzee) is hotly contested and oftentimes purely arbitrary. Etymologists from the Slater/Ralley/Stear school of thought, unable to decide for the better, have distinguished the two neologisms by connotation. Chuman alludes to the more sinister hybrid, fusing the intelligence of a human with the relative upper-body strength of a chimpanzee, bred for megalomanic and military ends. Humanzee, however, evokes a more placid and militarily impotent animal; combining the weakness of a human with the relative stupidity of a chimpanzee.
The novel Sims (ISBN 0765305518) by F. Paul Wilson explores a near-future event where Humanzees are created as a de facto slave race.
Humanzee and Chuman are also gaining popularity as a racial slur against African-Americans, calling a black person a Humanzee is considered offensive.