re: Jurassic Park cloning; a pondering

[bert.dol@philips.com]

Thomas P. Hopp wrote:

I don't want to sound like an expert but this sort of genetic
engineering is incredibly complex from what I've learned in my current
class.  Granted you can express certain phenotypes just by inserting the
right combination of nucleotides but you are lacking is genetic
variation with in a population.  I mean that if we were to create a
population of dinosaurs (same species of course)  they would more than
likely become extinct rather quickly due to the lack of genetic
information because all we expressed for was basic life functions and
appearance.

The other problem that may be encountered with this level of genetic
engineering your proposing is that these newly created dinosaurs would
have no learned behaviors.  (I realize that this is assuming that
dinosaurs could teach certain abilities to their offspring.)  The lack
of these behaviors could seriously hinder scientist by giving a false
behavioral pattern for these created dinosaurs.

>>Great comment. Also think about the fact that all creatures have great
portions of their DNA that are not actively used anymore; some parts are
blocked by suppressor genes. In time and through mutations these parts
can become active again and may assist the creature in evolving. We are far
from certain what any type of dinosaur looked like for a fact, so I have
a hard time believing we could recreate its DNA. How would we be able to
determine what part of the DNA is active in a dinosaur if we do not have
a 100% blueprint of what it looked like.
Hope my post is clearer than my head; I suffer from a terrible flu at
the moment. Apologies if it does not sound too coherent...


Bert 'Angel to some, demon to others' Dol
Grafisch Manager, Toolkeeper Grafische Applicaties en ook nog Fysisch analist-2 
(no particular order)
Analytical Laboratory
Philips Semiconductors Stadskanaal                         'Do, or do not. 
There is no try.'
The Netherlands                                                                 
      -  Yoda
Phone:  0031 599 632380/632306
Fax:        0031 599 632514
Mobile:  0031 620 440978

'I have the right to remain violent, anything I say or do will be used against 
you' - The Law Of Bert