Gudasalamani, Ravikanth and Krishnappa, Chandrashekara and KN, Ganeshaiah and NA, Aravind and R, Uma Shaanker and A. R. V., Kumar (2007) DNA Barcoding: An Exercise in Futility or Utility? Current Science, 92 (9). pp. 1213-1216.

[thumbnail of DNA_Barcoding_An_Exercise_in_Futility_or_Utility.pdf] Text
DNA_Barcoding_An_Exercise_in_Futility_or_Utility.pdf - Published Version
Restricted to Registered users only

Download (297kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Taxonomy, the science of naming and classifying organisms, is the foundation of all biology. Unfortunately, over the past few decades, taxonomy is being completely overshadowed by seemingly spectacular and glamorous branches of biology. However, in the last few years some of these subjects such as molecular biology have rejuvenated taxonomy as a fashionable science once again. The advent of powerful DNA-based marker systems for identifying species has brought back the charm of 18th century biology and promises a less painstaking path for identification and discovery of new species on the ‘PCR-desk’ by ‘lay-taxonomists’ who need not necessarily be ‘naturalists’. DNA barcoding, a tool that obtains speciesspecific DNA signature, is based on the simple premise that sequence diversity within small stretches of the organism’s genome can provide a ‘biological barcode’ to enable identification of any organism at the species level1,2. As a result, scientists are hoping that DNA barcoding will provide a ‘universal key’ that will allow identification of a species by running unknown DNA sequences through a DNA barcode database.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Copyright of this article belongs to the authors.
Subjects: A ATREE Publications > G Journal Papers
Divisions: SM Sehgal Foundation Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation > Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation Planning
Depositing User: Ms Suchithra R
Date Deposited: 26 Nov 2025 06:55
Last Modified: 05 Dec 2025 07:36
URI: http://archives.atree.org/id/eprint/1048

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item