Animals are disappearing from our planet at an alarming rate A tissue bank that will store genetic material from thousands of endangered animals has been set up in the UK. The Frozen Ark, as it is called, will preserve animal "life codes" even after their species have become extinct. This will allow future generations of scientists to understand long lost creatures, and may also help with the conservation programmes of tomorrow. The project is supported by the Natural History Museum, the Zoological Society of London and Nottingham University. Scientists believe animals may be disappearing from our planet at a very high rate. Some even refer to this plunge in biodiversity as the Earth's "sixth mass extinction". Over the next 30 years, perhaps a quarter of all known mammals and a tenth of all recorded bird species could die out - as result of rapid climate change and habitat loss. A multitude of less charismatic insects, worms and spiders are also said to be teetering on the edge. "Many people don't understand the current threat to biodiversity we face today," said the project patron Sir Crispin Tickell, of Oxford University. "Extinctions today probably equal the last five great extinctions. 10,000 animal species are currently endangered and we have an amazing uncertainty about their importance in the web of life." When a species is snuffed out, it leaves a hole in the ecosystem and, perhaps, a dent in our conscience. But there is something else, too. The last animal of its kind to die, takes with it a tome of information. "When the last individual of a species dies, you lose all the adaptations that have accumulated over millions of years of evolution," said Georgina Mace, of the Natural History Museum. "It would be incredibly reckless of us to allow these adaptations to be lost." The Frozen Ark project hopes to save a "back-up" copy of many species before they are lost. Their genetic codes will be stored in a frozen database, which can be called upon in the future to build knowledge and - perhaps - conservation initiatives. HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
- Scientists take whole insects, or small tissue samples from animals so life is not endangered
- Tissue may then be frozen for safe-keeping
- DNA extracted from tissue sample, either straight after it was obtained or after freezing
- DNA can be used for research, which may one day lead to resurrection of extinct species
- Some DNA samples are sent to other labs as an insurance against damage or loss
- Unused DNA can be frozen, potentially for thousands of years
Source: BBC News
