Could this save biodiversity? A big science project will record the DNA of every living thing on Earth. It could help us find species that need help.
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The scientists mapping all life on Earth
Could this save biodiversity? A big science project will record the DNA of every living thing on Earth. It could help us find species that need help.
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What's happening?
Life on Earth is weird. Doctors use lizard spit to help people with diabetesA medical condition causing there to be too much sugar in the blood. . A fungus that grows on sloths can help cure cancer.
Scientists find new uses for things in nature all the time. Now, a project will help them.
The Earth BioGenome Project will study all living plants and animals on Earth. Experts will find out about their DNADeoxyribonucleic acid is the material in an organism that carries genetic information..
Find out more
The project is huge. There are 1.8 million speciesA set of animals or plants with similar features. Members of the same species can breed with each other. on the planet. And those are just the ones we know about! The project will take eight years.
Scientists hope to learn about how to look after species that are in danger from climate changeLong-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.. They might also find new medicines.
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Could this save biodiversity?
Yes! It will help us learn about all creatures and plants. We will find ways to protect them. We can stop them from going extinctA species that no longer has any living members..
No! Just making a list of the species will not help them. We still need to work hard to fight climate change and protect the animals and plants on Earth.
Keywords
Diabetes - A medical condition causing there to be too much sugar in the blood.
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid is the material in an organism that carries genetic information.
Species - A set of animals or plants with similar features. Members of the same species can breed with each other.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
Extinct - A species that no longer has any living members.
The scientists mapping all life on Earth
Glossary
Diabetes - A medical condition causing there to be too much sugar in the blood.
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid is the material in an organism that carries genetic information.
Species - A set of animals or plants with similar features. Members of the same species can breed with each other.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
Extinct - A species that no longer has any living members.