Uncovering the Science Behind Chicken Dinosaurs: Enzymes and Genome Manipulation

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In summary, on a program from the discovery channel, a scientist was able to create chicken embryos with teeth and a tail using enzymes. There is ongoing research into manipulating the genome to express atavistic features, but the idea of recapitulation theory has been largely rejected.
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GiTS
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There was a program on the discovery channel awhile ago about a scientist who made chicken embryos with teeth and a tail. But I can't find anything on how he did it. I think there was something about enzymes. Anybody got info?

Can scientists do that kind of thing with the genome yet?
 
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We transformed a grey wolf into a chiuhuahua ... no genetics involved.

We had a mouse grow a human ear ... much encoding involved.

We can do much of what is not absolutely necessary.
 
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GiTS said:
There was a program on the discovery channel awhile ago about a scientist who made chicken embryos with teeth and a tail. But I can't find anything on how he did it. I think there was something about enzymes. Anybody got info?

Can scientists do that kind of thing with the genome yet?

You may, perhaps, be thinking of the recapitulation theory:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recapitulation_theory

You'll note that the part about development (from lower species to higher species) is now universally rejected, on the basis that many of the species diverged very early on, and share no ancestors which have common features. However, since birds most likely evolved from dinosaurs, it may be possible to halt or reactivate certain genes / pathways to express (or express more strongly) some of these atavistic features:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atavism
 

1. What are chicken dinosaurs?

Chicken dinosaurs, also known as chickenosaurus, are a type of genetically modified dinosaur created by scientists to resemble the extinct dinosaurs. They have the body of a chicken but with characteristics of other dinosaurs, such as a long tail, feathers, and scales.

2. How were chicken dinosaurs created?

Chicken dinosaurs were created through a process called reverse evolution, where scientists manipulated the chicken's DNA to express traits of different dinosaurs. This was done by identifying and activating dormant genes in the chicken's genome to bring out characteristics of their prehistoric ancestors.

3. Are chicken dinosaurs real animals?

No, chicken dinosaurs are not real animals. They were created in a laboratory through genetic engineering and do not exist in nature. However, some scientists are working on creating living chicken dinosaurs through a process called de-extinction, where extinct species can be brought back to life through genetic manipulation.

4. What is the purpose of creating chicken dinosaurs?

The purpose of creating chicken dinosaurs is to better understand the evolution and development of dinosaurs. By studying and recreating their physical characteristics, scientists can gain insights into how these ancient creatures lived and evolved. It also has potential applications in the fields of medicine and agriculture.

5. Are there any ethical concerns surrounding the creation of chicken dinosaurs?

Yes, there are ethical concerns surrounding the creation of chicken dinosaurs. Some people believe that it is playing with nature and could have unforeseen consequences. Others argue that resources and funding should be focused on preserving existing species instead of creating new ones. Additionally, there are concerns about animal welfare and the potential mistreatment of these genetically modified creatures.

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