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Identifying World's Species With Genetic Bar Codes

Posted by samzenpus on from the scan-the-fish-first dept.

Fokker writes "Reuters reports that scientists from around the world launched a project on thursday to genetically identify species using bar codes. By taking a snippet of DNA from all the known species on Earth and linking them to photographs, descriptions and scientific information, the researchers plan to build the largest database of its kind."

1 of 156 comments (clear)

  1. I hate barcodes by Dancin_Santa · · Score: 0, Redundant

    When there are perfectly fine 2-dimensional barcodes called QR codes available, I hate to see scientists trying to get by with simple one-dimensional barcodes. Even the post office has started using QR codes, and all Japanese phones are equipped with readers.

    Seems a little bit simple, but I guess it might be harder to put 2 dimensional barcodes on thin creatures like worms and snakes.