Cloned dilemma

dolly, the cloned sheep, has celebrated her fifth birthday. Most other cloned animals aren't so lucky. They rarely reach adulthood. Some die in the process of cloning itself. The unpredictability of cloning seems to arise from some uncertain genes. Researchers based in the us are now beginning to understand the reason behind the low success rate of cloning.

Signatory to biosafety

india has signed the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which is the only international framework that regulates trade in genetically modified (gm) products. The protocol allows countries to ban the import of gm seeds, microbes, animals and crops that they believe is harmful to their environment. The pact also stipulates that all gm food must bear the label 'may contain' before they are shipped to other countries.

Mapping the genes

humans have finally become acquainted with themselves. Researchers have been able to crack the human genome. The interpretation of the genome -- identifying the genes, their functions and controls and how they relate to human physiology and disease -- involved deciphering billions of strands of deoxyribonucleic acid (dna), which are encoded instructions that specify a person.

Gaur clone dies

ANDi the modified

scientists have produced the first genetically modified primate, andi, a rhesus monkey. The name andi came from writing the phrase 'inserted dna' backwards.

Single mothers

STUDIES reveal embarrassing exceptions to the common view that sexual reporduction scores over asexual reproduction ('mechanical' division into two, the way bacteria or amoeba does) in many ways. It is believed sexual reproduction enables individuals to generate a progeny with genetic variety that helps it to cope with future contingencies. Sexual reproduction helps concentrate 'good genes' within individuals and gets rid of 'bad genes '. These presumptions have strengthened the belief that sexual reproduction is, more or less, necessary for a successful evolution of

MIAMI GROUP VS rest of the world

on a radio programme aired on a popular international station, representatives of the plant biotechnology industry likened the fear for genetically modified organisms (gmos) to the initial fear of vaccinations. Both, they claimed, are equally unfounded and come in the way of benefits to humankind. Just as vaccinations put an end to dreaded diseases, plant biotechnology could put an end to world hunger and malnutrition.

Back to life

Scientists at the Australian Museum in Sydney say that they are close to bringing back the extinct Tasmanian tiger to life. The animal became extinct in 1936. According to a report in London's The Telegraph , the scientists have been working on this project for over a year, after they found a perfect specimen of a Tasmanian tiger pup in a jar of alcohol. The pup has been preserved since 1866, and in April this year, tissue samples were taken from the heart, liver, muscle and bone marrow for analysis.

Evolution of bats

A new study on the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of bats has put a question mark on all the theories about the evolution of bats. It was believed that all bats shared a common ancestor, but subsequent

Aping each other