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DNA sequencing plants + animals

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What is DNA Barcoding? | iBOL. Print What is DNA Barcoding? DNA barcoding first came to the attention of the scientific community in 2003 when Paul Hebert’s research group at the University of Guelph published a paper titled "Biological identifications through DNA barcodes". In it, they proposed a new system of species identification and discovery using a short section of DNA from a standardized region of the genome. That DNA sequence can be used to identify different species, in the same way a supermarket scanner uses the familiar black stripes of the UPC barcode to identify your purchases. The gene region that is being used for almost all animal groups, a 648 base-pair region in the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene (“CO1”), is proving highly effective in identifying birds, butterflies, fish, flies and many other animal groups.

The Barcode Production Pipeline Species identification using DNA barcodes starts with the specimen. And it’s image looks like this: Barcode of Life « Identifying Species with DNA Barcoding. DNA Barcoding Assistant Smartphone Application. DNA barcoding alone sufficient to detect fraudulent deer products. Many Europeans are fretting these days over what they eat, and whether horse meat might have adulterated their pork chops. Food fraud has been dominating headlines globally - calling for new policies in law enforcement and more robust methods for successful food identification and authentication.

As companies and manufacturers resort to fraudulent practices to extract more cash from the gullible public, it is estimated that up to 7% of the consumer supply chain contains hidden ingredients (i.e. – not disclosed on the label). And while all too often policymakers seem oblivious to the problem, the growing awareness of plain criminal activity in food supply has stimulated an increase in published research on animal DNA testing, either for the identification of species or for the genetic linkage of a sample to a particular organism. Deer meat has come a long way as an alternative to pork and beef. The attractiveness of this method lies in its utility.

Commenting on the research, Prof. How the Monsanto Protection Act snuck into law. Updated, March 28: A number of readers have requested to know exactly where in the HR 933 they might find the provision dubbed the “Monsanto Protection Act.” It is Section 735 in the bill, the full text of which can be read here. Original post: Slipped into the Agricultural Appropriations Bill, which passed through Congress last week, was a small provision that’s a big deal for Monsanto and its opponents.

The provision protects genetically modified seeds from litigation in the face of health risks and has thus been dubbed the “Monsanto Protection Act” by activists who oppose the biotech giant. President Barack Obama signed the spending bill, including the provision, into law on Tuesday Since the act’s passing, more than 250,000 people have signed a petition opposing the provision and a rally, consisting largely of farmers organized by the Food Democracy Now network, protested outside the White House Wednesday.

“It sets a terrible precedent,” noted the International Business Times. ‘Monsanto Bill’: A Timeline.