Creatures, Myths & Legends

Scientist is seeking Loch Ness Monster's DNA

By T.K. Randall
April 5, 2017 ·  14 comments

Could analyzing the water reveal the identity of Nessie ? Image Credit: Google Street View Several researchers have attempted to locate signs of a large creature in the depths of Loch Ness over the years, but while to date their efforts have come up empty, there's a chance that modern science may have finally caught up enough to solve the mystery once and for all.

Professor Gemmell, who heads up the anatomy department at the University of Otago in New Zealand, is looking to collect and analyze samples from the loch because he believes that modern genomic technology is now sensitive enough to be able to detect the creature's cells in the water.

To determine what type of creature the monster is, all he would need to do is filter out the genetic data for all known animals in the loch to see what's left afterwards."Is there anything in Loch Ness that looks different from everything else ?" he said.

"It started out as an idea that I voiced on Twitter with some other colleagues, and it's been picked up and it seems to have grown some legitimate legs."

While the project still needs funding in order to go ahead, Loch Ness Project leader Adrian Shine has expressed an interest in helping out by collecting the necessary water samples.

"I would be very interested in the results," he said.

Source: odt.co.nz | Comments (14)

Tags: Loch Ness Monster