Genetic code to be taken from Loch Ness in monster search COMMENT
The legend of the Loch Ness monster has baffled sci entists for centuries, but now a group of experts hope modern technology will reveal what really lives in the murky depths of the Scottish lake.
Professor Neil Gemmell, a scientist from New Zealand, will lead the global team on a search of Loch Ness using DNA sampling techniques to uncover its secrets.
Genetic code will be extracted from the loch’ s water, collected over a two-week period, to determine the types of creatures that make the lake their home.
While Prof Gemmell is not convinced the Loch Ness monster exists, he hopes it could still throw up some interesting surprises.
“I don’t believe in the idea of a monster,” he said. “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.”
DNA can be captured in the lake through tiny fragments such as skin and scales left behind by creatures as they swim through the waters.
After the team’ s trip next month, the samples will be sent to labs in New Zealand, Australia, Denmark and France to be analysed against a genetic database.
“There’s absolutely no doubt that we will find new stuff ,” Prof Gem me ll, who works at the University of Otago in Dunedin, said. “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.”
The legend of the Loch Ness monster is embedded in Scottish folklore.
The earliest sighting of a “water beast” was reported by an Irish monk in 565AD. It was written that a type of sea creature had attempted to gulp down a local farmer before being banished back into the water by St Columba – the man responsible for introducing Christianity to Scotland.
Nessie is said to have a long neck, with humps t hat pro - trude from the water. More than 1,000 people claim to have spotted the creature.
However, many believe the “monster” could be a large fish like a catfish or sturgeon.
The theory will be among several the scientists will be able to explore during t heir investigations.
The trip, which has been a year in the planning, will include scientists from universities in New Zealand, Denmark, Australia, America and France.
Adrian Shine, leader of the Loch Ness Project in Scotland, will also be involved. While they hope it will answer some questions about the elusive Nessie, even if they do not find any evidence to explain it the myth is likely to linger for years to come.
Nessie enthusiasts claimed a record number of sightings were made last year.
Among the witnesses was Dr Jo Knight, a lecturer at Lancas- ter University, who spotted an unexplained “fin” shape when looking pictures of Loch Ness taken on holiday.
Gary Campbell, the recorder of the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register, previously said eight sightings of Nessie had been accepted for 2017.
“This is the most we have had this century,” he 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.”
PROFESSOR NEIL GEMMELL