US scientists to clone Tassie tiger
Robyn Grace
October 12, 2005
US researchers are involved in a renewed effort to bring the Tasmanian tiger
back to life through cloning.
Professor Mike Archer, dean of science at the University of New South Wales,
today confirmed he was developing a new team to revive the project, which was
dumped in February by the Australian Museum in Sydney.
Prof Archer said public interest in the concept was still strong and researchers
from several Australian institutions had expressed interest in teaming up on the
project.
"In addition, US researchers with genetic sequencing capabilities will be
involved for the first time and their expertise is expected to open up new
possibilities for bringing the project closer to its ultimate goal," he said.
The Australian Museum blamed poor DNA samples and a lack of facilities and
skills for its failure to clone the extinct tiger, or thylacine.
But Prof Archer, who instigated the project in 1999, said earlier this year the
project would not die simply because the museum would not proceed.
The thylacine was a large, carnivorous marsupial once found all over Australia
and Papua New Guinea.
It was officially declared extinct in 1986.
But the tiger remains the subject of urban myth with more than 4000 unconfirmed
sightings since the last one died in captivity in Hobart in 1936.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,16898298%255E1702,\
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US scientists to clone Tassie tiger Oct 12 2005
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- Written by: AYR ADMIN
- Category: Thylacine