As if grizzlies and polar bears weren't enough

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a Canadian scientist's proposal to genetically modify chickens to exhibit dinosaur-like traits, particularly in light of humorous comparisons to dangerous animals in Australia. Participants explore the plausibility of such modifications, share jokes, and reference related scientific work.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants humorously suggest that the project is a way to outdo Australia in terms of dangerous creatures.
  • There are jokes about the implications of having baby dinosaurs as pets, with references to specific dinosaur species like Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex.
  • One participant questions the plausibility of actually creating a dinosaur, suggesting that while full dinosaurs may not be feasible, certain anatomical features could potentially be developed.
  • References are made to existing research on chicken mutants with dinosaur-like teeth, indicating some scientific basis for the discussion.
  • Concerns are raised about the developmental issues faced by mutant birds, as well as the humorous implications for poultry farming.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the seriousness of the article and the potential for misinformation, particularly regarding images associated with the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally engage in light-hearted banter and humor, but there is no consensus on the feasibility of the scientific claims made in the article. Some express skepticism about the actual creation of dinosaurs, while others entertain the idea of modifying chickens.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the speculative nature of the claims regarding genetic modification and the humorous framing of the discussion, which may obscure serious scientific inquiry.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in genetic engineering, evolutionary biology, and humorous takes on scientific advancements may find this discussion engaging.

mgb_phys
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Canada obviously feeling inferior to Australia in the dangerous creature stakes have decided to go one better:

"Canadian scientist aims to turn chickens into dinosaurs"
http://www.physorg.com/news170426405.html
 
Biology news on Phys.org
Ivan Seeking said:
Funded by KFC, which is currently investing in really big fryers.

:smile:

It's just our way of once and for all shutting up Bush and those idiots in Kansas who don't believe in evolution. Once we build a few T-Rex's, we're going to send them down there to eat the bastards. :biggrin:
 
From PhysOrg?

Gosh, the velociraptor attacks that xkcd comics were fearing may actually come true.

Awesome.
 
Chop chop! I want a baby dinosaur in time for Christmas.
 
Woah. Sign me up for a baby Triceratops, me and my girlfriend were just talking about that animal a few days ago. Imagine I got her one... I need to get in contact with this guy.
 
Sorry! said:
Woah. Sign me up for a baby Triceratops, me and my girlfriend were just talking about that animal a few days ago. Imagine I got her one... I need to get in contact with this guy.

Buying her a stuffed Sarrah from Land Before Time would probably be cheaper.
 
TheStatutoryApe said:
Buying her a stuffed Sarrah from Land Before Time would probably be cheaper.

Stuffed with apples and breading you mean. Nom nom nom.
 
Sorry! said:
Woah. Sign me up for a baby Triceratops, me and my girlfriend were just talking about that animal a few days ago. Imagine I got her one... I need to get in contact with this guy.

Good way to get rid of her if you ever feel like :-p
 
  • #10
Remember, a Tyrannosaurus Rex is for life - not just for christmas.
 
  • #11
rootX said:
Good way to get rid of her if you ever feel like :-p

;) lol.

In all serious though what you guys think about this article? Even seem plausible?
 
  • #12
why not ?? dilbert already had one.
 
  • #13
Sorry! said:
;) lol.

In all serious though what you guys think about this article? Even seem plausible?

Actually getting a dinosaur? No. But getting some aspects of dinosaur anatomy? Maybe.

It's already been done with teeth. See Harris, M.P. et. al. (2006) The development of archosaurian first-generation teeth in a chicken mutant. in Curr Biol. 2006 Feb 21;16(4):371-7. Also a http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/hens_teeth_not_so_rare_after_all_10081.html of the work.

chicken_with_teeth.jpg


Cheers -- Sylas

I hate to confess, but the image is a joke. The mutant birds have other severe development problems, and do not survive to hatch.

PS. Con: higher insurance premiums for poultry farmers. Pro: A drum stick will feed a family of seventeen.
 
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  • #14
sylas said:
Actually getting a dinosaur? No. But getting some aspects of dinosaur anatomy? Maybe.

It's already been done with teeth. See Harris, M.P. et. al. (2006) The development of archosaurian first-generation teeth in a chicken mutant. in Curr Biol. 2006 Feb 21;16(4):371-7. Also a http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/hens_teeth_not_so_rare_after_all_10081.html of the work.

I hope nobody mistakes this Photoshop hack job as having anything to do with this article...the REAL pictures are much less shocking

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/6879/40992804.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #15
junglebeast said:
I hope nobody mistakes this Photoshop hack job as having anything to do with this article...the REAL pictures are much less shocking

Anything to suck them in and have a laugh. IMO a joke is a good ice breaker and can encourage folks to go further into the fascinating details. (I did put a disclaimer underneath!)

Thanks for finding and posting the real images! -- cheers, sylas
 
  • #16
mgb_phys said:
Canada obviously feeling inferior to Australia in the dangerous creature stakes

While I admit that Oz has a lot of really nasty, poisonous critters, and crocs, I think that I'd rather face one of them than a polar bear.
 
  • #17
mgb_phys said:
Remember, a Tyrannosaurus Rex is for life - not just for christmas.

:smile: I think that one could have made the old David Letterman list of "lines that you never expected to hear".
 

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