Hatching the Cockatrice
Well about 8 years ago I came across a discussion on cockatrices that suggested that the legend could be based on a really rare mutation that produced a "throwback" bird, one with teeth and or a tail more like ancient birds.
As supporting evidence there was reference to a study where some scientists actually managed to unlock some of those genes. I could never find the information. But today on "The Most Extreme" on Animal Planet they brought up one such experiment. It was the "Animal Myths" episode on the segment about hens' teeth. In the experiment some of these ancient genes that were no longer in use were unlocked and they were able to develop chick embryos with teeth!
And sadly, this is old news for some, but since I hadn't been able to find the data, I'm excited to see it confirmed in some form in the mainstream media. Myth wise, it would only take one or two extremely rare events to create the legend of the cockatrice. The fact that it is a bird with reptilian traits, not unlike those of fossils that are now being uncovered in China, make the concept more plausible if extremely unlikely.
Personally, if any chickens were developed with the cockatrice look I'd be excited to see how they compare physically with the myths.
Other note: The same episode went on to show that humans could affect random number generators in machines with only their minds. They went on to expand the tests to the direction a robot programmed to move randomly went, and the height of a water fountain. The presence of a person changed the rates slightly, but it was replicable and added up a lot over time. With 12 dimensions anticipated to be out there, why aren't we looking closer at such studies to see how we and other living things may interact on levels not normally considered? Interesting stuff!
As supporting evidence there was reference to a study where some scientists actually managed to unlock some of those genes. I could never find the information. But today on "The Most Extreme" on Animal Planet they brought up one such experiment. It was the "Animal Myths" episode on the segment about hens' teeth. In the experiment some of these ancient genes that were no longer in use were unlocked and they were able to develop chick embryos with teeth!
And sadly, this is old news for some, but since I hadn't been able to find the data, I'm excited to see it confirmed in some form in the mainstream media. Myth wise, it would only take one or two extremely rare events to create the legend of the cockatrice. The fact that it is a bird with reptilian traits, not unlike those of fossils that are now being uncovered in China, make the concept more plausible if extremely unlikely.
Personally, if any chickens were developed with the cockatrice look I'd be excited to see how they compare physically with the myths.
Other note: The same episode went on to show that humans could affect random number generators in machines with only their minds. They went on to expand the tests to the direction a robot programmed to move randomly went, and the height of a water fountain. The presence of a person changed the rates slightly, but it was replicable and added up a lot over time. With 12 dimensions anticipated to be out there, why aren't we looking closer at such studies to see how we and other living things may interact on levels not normally considered? Interesting stuff!