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NEWS > SCIENCE > SCIENTISTS INVENT ALLIGATOR-CHICKEN HYBRID
SCIENTISTS INVENT ALLIGATOR-CHICKEN HYBRID
August 21 2011
Boston, MA – Scientists at Harvard have finally created the type of creature once thought to only be the stuff of bad science fiction and nightmare scenarios. By altering the DNA of a developing chicken, the scientists were able to create give the bird an alligator-like snout and other such ferocious characteristics.
The embryos were terminated before birth, but the advance has many worried that such genetic manipulation may well yield dangerous results in the future as other scientists seek to blend the characteristics of other diverse creatures.
“The hope is that by demonstrating this type genetic manipulation that we will essentially be able to turn back the genetic clock, to alter the current state of DNA which would also allow us to do the same thing in human beings. That in turn would allow us to manipulate faulty strands of DNA and prevent or even eliminate genetic diseases,” said a spokesperson for the school. “We are not looking to turn back the evolutionary clock on humans, or create hybrid monsters of any animal, but this work shows that this type of manipulation is possible and that could yield great results for human health.”
Arkhat Abzhanov is the researcher who created the hybrids. He has apparently always dreamt of alligator-chicken hybrids, which he affectionately named Allichickenosaurus.
“These are not animals we are going to be seeing on our dinner plates anytime soon. These are simply displays of theory and they have proven to be quite successful. Genetically modifying animals at this level for mass consumption would be very costly, at least at this stage, and is well outside our mandate,” continued the spokesperson. “These aren’t exactly cross breeds at all. Remember, birds and alligators both evolved from dinosaurs. We are simply turning back the genetic clock and allowing nature to take its course.”
It’s not clear if such manipulation on humans would be able to turn us back into stone-age creatures while it attempts to rid us of disease.
“There are inherent dangers in any type of genetic manipulation. It is possible that this type of experimentation could turn back the human genome and make us cavemen, or even go further back. Perhaps a fusion of multiple stages of human evolution, which could be disastrous and dangerous,” said Scrape TV Science analyst Dr. Howard Poe. “It could also be utilized on other species to do the same thing. We could have eagle-dinosaur hybrids, or tigers capable of swimming like dolphins. There really is no limit and that is a concern.”
Thus far, no hybrids have been brought to term.
“This is where genetic manipulation really gets scary. The possibilities are really only limited by imagination, and that has the potential to cause serious problems for the future, though possibly very interesting meals,” continued Poe. “One can only imagine the culinary possibilities at this stage but I’m sure that if it walks and breathes we will be able to find a way to eat it. Aside from manipulating genetics, that is what we do best.”
It’s believed likely that the alligator-chicken combo would be a little crunchy.
Anna Phillips, Science Correspondent
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