Current Events > Can you put Narwhal DNA into a horse embryo and get a unicorn?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Just spit balling ideas here
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Probably not.
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You want a horse that constantly drags a tooth along the ground?
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ideally: yes

practically: you'll end up with something like the Ripley/xenomorph clone experiments from Alien: Resurrection

You want rhinoceros DNA: the narwhal's "horn" is actually a tooth.
Kalavinka posted...

You want a horse that constantly drags a tooth along the ground?

As already pointed out.

Yes this will work, 100%
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treewojima posted...

ideally: yes

practically: you'll end up with something like the Ripley/xenomorph clone experiments from Alien: Resurrection

The embryo probably wont even make it to the 4th week. It will die into monstrous tumor thing.

The thing is, there is no single "DNA for horns" it is alot of complicated factor that affect even a single genotype. Something that are "visible" usually the most complex. Like it is a series of different genes in the different part of DNA along in which cells it reside, which one is activated or not, et cetera.

We know alot of the function of a singular gene, like this set produce this protein, et cetera, but we pretty much have no idea how multiple set of genes affect a certain trait of a being. Some overlaps, some are isolated.

Don't even counting the non coding part of DNA because afaik nobody know what they are even for.

So yeah it is not easy.

As for recombinant, we have come so far with simple living beings like bacterias inserted with human genes to produce human insulins or possibly prevent a genetic disease that is caused by a single gene mutation (like sickle blood cell) but anything more complex than that, we barely scratched the surface of the knowledge.
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apolloooo posted...

treewojima posted...

ideally: yes

practically: you'll end up with something like the Ripley/xenomorph clone experiments from Alien: Resurrection

The embryo probably wont even make it to the 4th week. It will die into monstrous tumor thing.

The thing is, there is no single "DNA for horns" it is alot of complicated factor that affect even a single genotype. Something that are "visible" usually the most complex. Like it is a series of different genes in the different part of DNA along in which cells it reside, which one is activated or not, et cetera.

We know alot of the function of a singular gene, like this set produce this protein, et cetera, but we pretty much have no idea how multiple set of genes affect a certain trait of a being. Some overlaps, some are isolated.

Don't even counting the non coding part of DNA because afaik nobody know what they are even for.

So yeah it is not easy.

As for recombinant, we have come so far with simple living beings like bacterias inserted with human genes to produce human insulins or possibly prevent a genetic disease that is caused by a single gene mutation (like sickle blood cell) but anything more complex than that, we barely scratched the surface of the knowledge.

I just wanted to make a joke about a hideous horse/narwhal hybrid begging "kill me" >_>

You'll more likely end up with a Frankenstein monster than a unicorn
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Yes, but if she can't speak a human language and use magic while spreading the power of friendship, then what's even the point.
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treewojima posted...

apolloooo posted...

treewojima posted...

ideally: yes

practically: you'll end up with something like the Ripley/xenomorph clone experiments from Alien: Resurrection

The embryo probably wont even make it to the 4th week. It will die into monstrous tumor thing.

The thing is, there is no single "DNA for horns" it is alot of complicated factor that affect even a single genotype. Something that are "visible" usually the most complex. Like it is a series of different genes in the different part of DNA along in which cells it reside, which one is activated or not, et cetera.

We know alot of the function of a singular gene, like this set produce this protein, et cetera, but we pretty much have no idea how multiple set of genes affect a certain trait of a being. Some overlaps, some are isolated.

Don't even counting the non coding part of DNA because afaik nobody know what they are even for.

So yeah it is not easy.

As for recombinant, we have come so far with simple living beings like bacterias inserted with human genes to produce human insulins or possibly prevent a genetic disease that is caused by a single gene mutation (like sickle blood cell) but anything more complex than that, we barely scratched the surface of the knowledge.

I just wanted to make a joke about a hideous horse/narwhal hybrid begging "kill me" >_>

i know i just wanna sound smart
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Based on all the scientific knowledge Ive acquired over the years, Id have to say yes.
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I have a friend who is a geneticist, so I can confidently say yes, you can.
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Accolon posted...

I have a friend who is a geneticist, so I can confidently say yes, you can.

can confirm, my uncle is a geneticist now that he left his job at nintendo and he helped confirm our answers.
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If you replace enough of the horse's genes with narwhal genes, you'd probably get the horn. But then, losing those original genes may cause the horse to lose other traits like its hooves and tail.

Can you surgically transplant a horn or a narwhal tooth onto a horse's head?
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Torrific posted...

If you replace enough of the horse's genes with narwhal genes, you'd probably get the horn. But then, losing those original genes may cause the horse to lose other traits like its hooves and tail.

And what did we learn today class.

That man can't play God and not to speak of this again Ms. Frizzle
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referencing both God and Ms. Frizzle in the same post?

are you trying to make me 10/10 your post??
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Hambo the Hog posted...

Can you surgically transplant a horn or a narwhal tooth onto a horse's head?

The horse would be less than enthusiastic about seeing some weird extrusion glued to it's face when it woke up.
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Found these while looking for a horse narwhal hybrid.








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LMFAO THE GORRILA CENTAUR.

Kill me
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