NDTV: Rhesus monkey: Scientists crack genetic code

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Rhesus monkey: Scientists crack genetic code

 

Pallava Bagla

Friday, April 13, 2007 (New Delhi)

It's a giant leap for science - the sequencing of the entire genetic

code of the rhesus monkey.

 

The rhesus monkey shares almost 97 per cent affinity with human

beings, which is why the discovery is so significant.

 

Around 170 scientists from 35 institutions around the world worked

together on this project, which has appeared in Science, the

prestigious American journal.

 

" It means a lot for the human race because the Indian rhesus monkey

is one of the most commonly used models to study human physiology and

human diseases.

 

" As a matter of fact, a large number of discoveries related to human

physiology and diseases have been made using the Indian rhesus

monkey. This discovery is a landmark and I will rate it equivalent to

our landing on the moon, " said Prof Avadhesha Surolia, Director,

National Institute of Immunology.

 

After the human gene was sequenced six years ago followed by the

chimpanzee's in 2005, the rhesus monkey is only the third primate to

have its DNA unravelled.

 

And this knowledge will make it that much easier to find cures for

diseases like AIDS, TB and malaria.

 

Sequencing history

 

Human genes sequenced in 2001

 

Chimpanzee genes sequenced in 2005, share 99 per cent similarity with

humans

 

Rhesus monkey genes sequenced 2007, share 97 per cent similarity with

humans responses to drugs, one estimate suggests about a quarter of

all allopathic medicines and vaccines used have been tested on these

monkeys.

 

This discovery should also be welcomed by animal rights activists

since the numbers of animals used for experimentation will drop by 90

per cent with comparative biomedical studies becoming easier.

 

The deciphering of the genome in America is an important biomedical

step and will lead to better medicines, and even better health care

for human beings.

 

What would have made it even sweeter would have been if Indians had

participated in the deciphering of the genome programme.