'Replace Us': Whistleblower Dylan Borland Shares Terrifying Alien Theory That Riles Up Online UFO Critics

UFO whistleblower Dylan Borland has floated a hypothetical that extraterrestrials could seek human genes to 'replace us,' speculating that an alien civilisation might be interested in human reproduction and adding that its planet could hypothetically be dead.

He made the remarks during an appearance on the Hang Out with Sean Hannity podcast, alongside UAP researcher Ben Hansen.

Borland previously testified before the House Oversight Committee's Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets on 9 September 2025, describing what he said was a 2012 encounter with an approximately 100-foot triangular craft while on duty at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.

On the podcast, Borland repeated his claim that the US government has recovered non-human craft, telling Hannity he knew this 'for a fact.'

Hannity, for his part, suggested any alien interest in humanity 'may not be as malevolent as maybe some people would naively think,' adding there 'seems to be an interest in getting something from us.'

Borland's Speculation on Genes and Reproduction

It was here that the conversation drifted into stranger territory. Hansen argued that alleged abductions happen in ordinary homes across suburbia, not in some cinematic setting, noting bluntly that 'no one claims it's Disneyland and sunshine and roses.'

Hansen compared the alleged encounters with humanity's treatment of insects, swatted or experimented on without a second thought, to how a more advanced species might view us.

Borland went further still. Asked to explain the possible motive, he said, 'it seems to do with genes, reproduction,' before adding, 'this is literally a hypothetical, maybe their planet's dead and they're coming here to replace us.' Borland explicitly presented the idea as a hypothetical rather than as an established claim.

He also made a broader point about public appetite for these ideas, arguing that once a door is opened, 'even if it's not true,' a segment of society will fill in the gaps with their imagination.

Several Commenters on Reddit's r/UFO Community Criticised the Speculation

Several commenters on Reddit's r/UFO community criticised the speculation. One commenter said they would 'prefer so-called whistleblowers to stick with facts and not go on shows to make wild speculations and what-ifs.' Another user, posting as @R2robot, accused Borland and Hansen of turning serious podcasts into pitching sessions for 'science fiction story concepts.'

The commenter also contrasted Borland's account with other UAP whistleblowers, arguing that a single reported sighting did not establish expertise on extraterrestrial motives. The comment appeared to contrast firsthand sightings with other forms of claimed evidence.

Not everyone piled on, though. A user called @Grismundgames defended Borland, pointing out he has 'hinted that there's more to that event, but he's not at liberty to say'. That commenter also criticised UAP figure Matthew Brown, saying he was 'not an insider in any capacity.'

Context on Other UAP Claims and Official Findings

Borland's 2012 account is separate from his later speculation about extraterrestrial biology and motives. David Grusch and Luis Elizondo have also made claims about alleged UAP programmes and government-held technology in congressional testimony, but the nature and evidentiary basis of their respective claims differ.

The claims have not been independently verified. AARO has reported that it found no empirical evidence supporting claims that the US government or private companies are reverse-engineering extraterrestrial technology.