Extinct Bears (and Maybe Neandethals?) Get their DNA Sequenced

[On the Road]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Researchers have sequenced the DNA of two extinct cave bears and say their method is accurate enough to try doing it on extinct humans such as Neanderthals, according to a report published on Thursday.

The cave bears are the first extinct animals to have their genes sequenced, and the findings can be used to determine the precise relationship between the 40,000-year-old bears and living species.

But the main message is that the technique should be useful in examining Neanderthal DNA, the researchers report in Friday's issue of the journal Science.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050602/sc_nm/science_cavebear_dc

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The cave bear thing is interesing. But the possibility of sequencing Neanderthals is fascinating.

[DebJ]

1. the possibility of comparing Bush DNA to Neanderthals is

fascinating, too

[trotsky]

2. You mean there might be a difference? n/t

[Tesha]

3. Why not just...

> But the possibility of sequencing Neanderthals is fascinating.

Why not just clone Bush?

(Yes, I apologize to Neanderthals everywhere for insulting them!)

Tesha