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Banana to be Sequenced

Posted by chrisd on from the banana-split-will-be-sequenced-later dept.

GodsMadClown writes "New Scientist reports that a global consortium plans to sequence the genetic code of a wild banana from east Asia. Because bananas are triploidal instead of diploidal, they are only able to reproduce asexually, which means that it adapts slower than organisms reproducing sexually. 'One rule of joining the consortium is that any invention developed through the project and protected [by patent] will be made available to smallholders through a royalty-free license,' says Emile Frison, director of the International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain."

4 of 201 comments (clear)

  1. Re:true by peterpi · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    (Though I can't confirm whether or not he hit 'snooze')

  2. Consortium rules by Jamesie · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    1: You do not talk about consortium.

  3. OT, but funny.. by MImeKillEr · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    ..when I read "asexually" I was reminded of an old school chum's brother who used to torture my favorite science teacher in highschool.

    It usually went something like:

    teacher: "Who can tell me what organisms reproduce asexually?"

    Kyle: "Uhm, your wife?"

    Other such interactions usually went like:

    Kyle: "So, Mr. Cronshy. How's your wife and my kids?"

    Kyle even managed to lock him and a female teacher in a closet during class once.

    Needless to say, Kyle was kicked out of that class.

    Like I said, OT but funny (to me at least) and I've got karma points to burn, so..

    --
    Cruising the internet on my TI-99/4A @ a whopping 300 baud!
  4. In Soviet Russia... by BlazeScallion · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    ...the banana sequences you! Sorry, just had to try it on.