Posted on 09/16/2013 8:01:11 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
According to Professor Brown: "In the original 1990s studies DNA amplification was achieved by a process called the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which will preferentially amplify any modern, undamaged DNA molecules that contaminate an extract of partially degraded ancient ones to give false positive results that might be mistaken for genuine ancient DNA. Our approach, using 'next generation' sequencing methods is ideal for ancient DNA because it provides sequences for all the DNA molecules in an extract, regardless of their length, and is less likely to give preference to contaminating modern molecules."
The team concluded that their inability to detect ancient DNA in relatively young (60 years to 10,600 years old) sub-fossilized insects in copal, despite using sensitive next generation methods, suggests that the potential for DNA survival in resin inclusions is no better, and perhaps worse, than that in air-dried museum insects (from which DNA has been retrieved using similar techniques). This raises significant doubts about claims of DNA extraction from fossil insects in amber, many millions of years older than copal.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...
This image shows a sub-fossilized insect in copal. (Credit: Dr. David Penney, University of Manchester)
I’m sure that there is going to be an absence of DNA in a LOT of the insects.
For it to be perfect the blood would have to have been drawn minutes before they were fossilized. Otherwise the DNA would be broken down and digested.
"Bawk bawk bawk!"
Is the dna they’re talking about the dna from the insect or the dna from whatever critter from which the insect drew blood.
What about from actual dinosaur cell tissues?
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/dinosaur.html
Why waste time with insects?
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