JURASSIC Park could become reality after experts unearthed a fossil that may contain dinosaur DNA.<\/p>\n
Scientists believe it may have the first prehistoric genetic code yet discovered.<\/p>\n
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If experts can extract the information, it raises the prospect of cloning a dinosaur just like in the 1993 movie.<\/p>\n
The fossil, a piece of cartilage from the thigh of a peacock-sized caudipteryx, was perfectly preserved in volcanic ash.<\/p>\n
The beast roamed the Earth 125million years ago and resembled the films fearsome velociraptors.<\/p>\n
It was discovered in northern China by a team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and was in exquisite condition.<\/p>\n
The cells were mineralized by a process called silicification and experts have concluded some were healthy and others diseased at death, a study said.<\/p>\n
It adds that the fossilised cells cannot be considered rock because they contain remnants of organic molecules.<\/p>\n
Professor Alida Bailleul said: We are obviously interested in fossilised cell nuclei because this is where most of the DNA will be, if DNA was preserved.<\/p>\n
Exclusive<\/p>\n
Pictured<\/p>\n
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Breaking<\/p>\n
We have good and exciting preliminary data. We need to figure out exactly what those organic molecules are, but I hope we can reconstruct a DNA sequence.<\/p>\n
I could be wrong, but I could also be right.<\/p>\n
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Dinosaurs could be cloned after experts find fossil that may contain DNA... - The Sun<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" JURASSIC Park could become reality after experts unearthed a fossil that may contain dinosaur DNA. Continue reading