WHEN we revealed last year that a scientist from New Zealand was set to test for the DNA of Nessie in Loch Ness, more than a few people were disbelieving.
So we are delighted to report that Professor Neil Gemmell from the University of Otago in New Zealand will lead the scientists who will shortly take part in testing of the loch.
Some 300 samples of eDNA (environmental DNA) will be taken at various places and different depths in the loch, which is the largest single volume of fresh water on the island of Great Britain due to its depth.
The team are hoping to identify the tiny fragments of DNA that skin, feathers, scales and urine leave behind, but – whisper it – Gemmell doesn’t believe they’ll find Nessie. How dare he suggest it’s all a hoax!
Gemmell, from Dunedin, said: “I don’t believe in the idea of a monster, but I’m open to the idea that there are things yet to be discovered and not fully understood. Maybe there’s a biological explanation for some of the stories.
“There’s absolutely no doubt that we will find new stuff. And that’s very exciting. While the prospect of looking for evidence of the Loch Ness monster is the hook to this project, there is an extraordinary amount of new knowledge that we will gain from the work about organisms that inhabit Loch Ness – the UK’s largest freshwater body.”
And maybe, just maybe, they will find something that cannot be explained, as Gemmell admitted: “There is this idea that an ancient Jurassic Age reptile might be in Loch Ness. If we find any reptilian DNA sequences in Loch Ness, that would be surprising and would be very, very interesting.
“In our lives we want there still to be mysteries, some of which we will ultimately solve.That’s part of the spirit of discovery. And sometimes, what you find may not be what you were expecting.”
The National tried to contact Nessie for her view but she wasn’t available for comment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel