Frozen Ark
Many years before the launch of the mission, research was carried out
through the Frozen Ark Project. The possibility of potential of life in outer
space was confirmed by using the DNA of Polynesian tree snails, creating the
species within what was considered at the time a suitable outer space
environment and monitoring the organism.
The experiment was successful, and a major scientific breakthrough was
made into the possibility of life in outer space. After this, the frozen ark received
a large grant from the funding from this mission, in order to preserve animal
species and to be able to replicate organisms in space, due to the beneficial
nature of both the endangered species and humans alike.
Once the space mission was launched, back on earth, a team of scientists
used IVF to create embryos of chickens. They then went through a screening
process, whereby any defective gene was replaced, enhanced or added to through
somatic cell therapy to ensure each embryo was suitable. Some genetic material
was modified, so that the organism would be able to survive some outer space
conditions. Every suitable embryo was frozen in an individual capsule. About 6 months after the spacecraft had
entered space, the frozen tubes were sent in order to begin the chicken
breeding programme. After this proved a success, the universal breeding really
took off and over 100,000 capsules were sent out containing over 300 different
breeds and species of animal.
(by Emily Harmon)
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