Scientists recreate dinosaur embryos from chicken DNA

This embryo is not entirely a dinosaur but is actually a hybrid between T-Rex and chicken.

The 68-million-year-old DNA sample was obtained from soft tissue cells in a Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil used by researchers at North Carolina State University to create the first healthy dinosaur embryos in millions of years.

The fossil specimen is from a pregnant tyrant dinosaur, preserved in extremely optimal conditions. This DNA is implanted in a chicken's skin cell - a relative of the tyrant dinosaur.

The 68 million-year-old DNA sample was taken from soft tissue cells in a Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur fossil used to create dinosaur embryos.

"We often think of T-Rex as a giant reptile that looks like a crocodile on two legs but in fact, their closest relatives are birds and in the dinosaur world, T-Rex. just as big as a chicken " - according to Linda Rushmore, a school of paleontology at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science Museum.

"The similarity of T-Rex's genetic gene and chicken initially surprised us. We were extremely excited with the positive results and healthy development of this embryo."

We often think of T-Rex as a giant reptile that looks like a crocodile on two legs, but in fact, their closest relatives are birds and in the dinosaur world, T-Rex also just the size of a chicken.

Hybrid chicken?

This embryo is not entirely a dinosaur, but is actually a hybrid between T-Rex and chicken, according to Helmut Hans Fraser, a molecular biologist at the school.

"There is no way to reproduce a complete dinosaur from missing DNA samples, but we have succeeded in transplanting DNA into healthy chicken skin cells and creating this embryo. So if it survives and If we are born healthy, without deformities, we will be surprised. No one can say anything, " said the professor. "We found that embryos developed at an unusual rate compared to conventional chicken embryos. It is now 65 times larger than the embryo of chickens after only 3 days of development, and it grows very fast, which is what makes me feel excited ".

This embryo is not entirely a dinosaur but is actually a hybrid between T-Rex and chicken.

Ethical debate

Although many scientists consider this good news to show the development of science, some believe that this experiment is "inhuman and dangerous".

"Who wants to regenerate an animal that is 4 meters tall and weighs approximately 8 tons? There are quite some convincing ideas about genetically modified food that can harm human DNA and now we intend to create one. Frankenstein-type creatures have dinosaur DNA? If aliens are watching, they must be shaking their heads in frustration. "

"Who wants to reborn a 4 meter tall animal and weighs approximately 8 tons?"Jacques Clement from the University of Versailles, Paris.

"What if this creature mates with chickens? Does this change the genetic trait of the chickens permanently and how genetically modified plants are causing genetic disorders when they are mating with plants thousands of years old? " follow Jacques Clement from the University of Versailles, Paris.

Last year, geneticist George Church and colleagues succeeded in using CRISPR gene correction technology to install genes that determine mammoth physique into ordinary elephant skin.

1. Create modern chickens with dinosaur legs for evolutionary research