Canadian Scientist Aims to turn Chickens into Dinosaurs

[Lotus666]

Kentucky Fried Dino just doesn't sound right to me! (http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20090825/tsc-canadian-scientist-aims-to-turn-chic-c2ff8aa.html)

:laugh: Jurassic Park, eat your heart out! :p

[Roz]

There was a documantary on this ages ago. They turned on the genes that cause the embryo to grow teeth, the one for a long tail oh and the one that turns the scales on the feet into feathers (with the idea that they'd be able to do the opposite with the rest of the body).

They let the embryos get to a certain stage then put them under a microscope, it was pretty cool. Genetics is interesting but there are too many laws to do anything really fun.

[Lotus666]

It is quite fascinating, I must admit. Sometimes I think I should have listened to my School Guidance Officer and gone Academic, rather than Commercial, Course...

[Roz]

There aren't very many jobs going anyway because most research of this kind is grant funded- but that doesn't mean those with an interest can't read up on it.

[Lotus666]

True...which is why I post links for those so inclined. :)

[Roz]

There is a book you might like if your interested in genetics, ok there are several but this one doesn't require a phd in genetic biology to understand, its called Mutants by Armand Marie Leroi. It basically explains which hormones applied to the embryo at certain times during development can cause all sorts of abnormal births.

[Nick Zbu]

Is this like a 'For Dummies' book for making mutants? Because I would so dig one that has an enormous head and a floating chair.

[Roz]

Not quite, it explains how conjoined twins occur, mermaid babies, the people who are really really all over hairy. The mice with human body parts attached and cutting off the legs of two species of salamander and swapping them before reattachment are also covered.

[Lotus666]

Sounds fascinating stuff - may have to check the Library for it! Cheers, Roz! :)

[Lord Finisher]

Wanna know what I'd like out of this? A giant bird that could be used as a steed.

Or even better, a Tyrannosaurus Chicken. That's a lot of bird meat.