-------- Original Message --------
Subject: FOURTH ESTATE CRITIQUE DNA barcoding
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2008 09:18:12 +0530
From: Sajan G <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Dear members
We are all aware of the DNA barcoding centre which is being set up at
Trivandrum and many of us may not have any idea about what it is
intended to do. A friend of mine Dr K.D Prathapan who is a scientist
of repute in the Kerala Agricultural University has forwarded a note
to me stating that this centre will only act as a short cut to replace
the mammoth task of biodiversity classification.
I am posting the note for expert comments.
sajan
DNA barcoding is not the answer
A centre for DNA barcoding will be started by the Govt. of Kerala in a
few days near Trivandrum. DNA barcoding is proposed as a means of
identifying and classifying biodiversity besides protecting our
traditional knowledge. But the available literature show that this
proposition is wanting in terms of rationale, methodology and accuracy
of results. DNA sequence data can play a complementary role in
systematics along side traditional taxonomic tools like morphological,
ecological and zoogeographical information. Need of the hour is that
we explore, describe, name and classify our biological heritage. DNA
barcoding as a shortcut to replace this mammonth task has originated
from the naive ignorance of theories, epistemology, hisotry and
traditions of the science of biodiversity. This would ultimately
hamper our understanding of biodiversity. DNA barcoding may vanish as
a fad to be subsumed under the historical chronicles of molecular
systematics. This has been clearly used as a fund-getting technique
from agencies filled with inadequately informed bureaucrats.
Further reading (all these scientific papers and many more available
free online)
Lorenzo Prendini, 2005. Comments on "Identifying spiders through DNA
barcodes". Canadian Journal of Zoology 83(3): 481-491.
Craig Moritz and Carla Cicero, 2004. DNA Barcoding: Promise and
PItfalls. PLoS Biology 2(10):1529-1531.
Christopher P. Meyer and Gustav Paulay, 2005. DNA Barcoding: Error
Rates Based on Comparative Sampling. PLoS Biology 3(12): 2229-2238
Kipling W. Will and Daniel Rubinoff, 2004. Myth of molecule: DNA
barcodes for species identification can not replace morphology for
identification and classification. Cladistics 20: 47-55.
--
Prathapan K. D.
Entomology
Vellayani P. O.
Trivandrum - 695 522
Kerala, INDIA
Phone: 91- (0) - 9446053297
--
G. SAJAN
(Asst. Station Director)
DOORDARSHAN KENDRA
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 43
PH: 0471 2730143, MOB: 94460 73366
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